Rabi Nuhu, a housewife residing in Magama Gumau within the Toro local government area of Bauchi State, has been taken into custody on allegations of severely mistreating her five-year-old stepdaughter due to the child’s bedwetting.
According to information gathered, the young girl, whose identity remains confidential, lost her biological mother approximately a year ago. Since then, she has been living with her father, Mohammed Umar, and his new spouse.
Despite efforts to provide care, the child reportedly suffered ongoing physical abuse from her stepmother over several days.
Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir, a local resident and human rights advocate, informed reporters in Bauchi on Tuesday that the mistreatment persisted for nearly five days before it was uncovered.
“In an attempt to prevent conflict with the stepmother, the father purchased a separate mattress for the girl, yet the abuse did not cease. Eventually, the child confided in her uncle, revealing that her stepmother had inflicted burns on her private areas as punishment for bedwetting. It was the uncle who brought the matter to the attention of the authorities,” Kabiru explained.
He also claimed that the suspect frequently projected her marital frustrations onto the child.
Mohammed Umar, the victim’s father and an employee of an online television station, spoke to the press, acknowledging that his wife often expressed dissatisfaction with the child’s bedwetting. He initially accepted her explanation that the burns were caused by spilled hot tea when he first noticed the injuries.
Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, confirmed the report, stating the case was filed on September 13, 2025, at approximately 3 p.m.
“The child suffered burns on her lower abdomen, thighs, and buttocks,” Wakil disclosed.
Following the report, Commissioner of Police CP Sani Omolori Aliyu ordered the immediate detention of the accused and instructed that the investigation be handled confidentially by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Notably, this incident follows closely on the heels of another disturbing case in the same community, where a seven-year-old girl was allegedly subjected to torture by her brother’s wife, Suwaira Ibrahim. The accused reportedly burned the child’s private parts with a heated knife after accusing her of practicing witchcraft.
