The Yobe State Police Command has detained a 35-year-old man, Mika’ilu Abdulkarim, from Tsirma Village in Jigawa State, on allegations of sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl named Hafsat Babagana, who resides in Garin Alkali, Bursari local government area.
According to a statement released in Damaturu by the Yobe State Police spokesperson, SP Dungus Abdulkarim, the arrest was made following a complaint lodged by the child’s father.
SP Abdulkarim explained that the suspect allegedly enticed the vulnerable child, who is reported to have a mental disability, with a promise of ₦500 before committing the offense at Garin Alkali Market.
Law enforcement officers from the Garin Alkali Division promptly apprehended the accused. Both the suspect and the victim were subsequently taken to the Specialist Hospital in Gashu’a for thorough medical evaluation.
The case has now been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Damaturu for an in-depth inquiry. Upon completion of the investigation, the suspect will face prosecution in court.
Yobe State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Ado, strongly condemned the crime and urged parents to stay alert. He also called on local communities to actively participate in combating sexual and gender-based violence.
