Anthony Iwuoma
The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 24-year old man for allegedly kidnapping and eventually killing an eight-year-old in Chikawa village, Gabasawa Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, Habibu Sale, had reportedly collected a ransom of N500,000 but still killed the victim, Asiya Tasiu.
Speaking on behalf of the state police Commissioner, Habu A. Sani, the Kano State Police Command spokesman, Abdullahi Haruna, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, disclosed that the suspect was arrested November 7.
According to the Police investigations, Habibu kidnapped Asiya while she was running an errand in her aunt, who is his neighbour.
Habibu allegedly killed the girl after collecting the ransom and buried her in a shallow grave at the outskirts of Chikawa village to cover his crime.
The police spokesman further said the suspect was arrested as a result of a directive by the Commissioner of Police who charged the Operation Puff Adder to swing into action and arrest the suspects.
Habibu confessed to have committed the crime alone, adding that he had spent the N500, 000 ransom on harlots, drugs and gambling.
He said he committed the offence alone but the police suspect there may be other suspects.
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The victim’s grieving father, Alhaji Tasiu Mohammed Adamu, told newsmen at the Bompai Police headquarters that his daughter’s kidnappers had demanded for N10 million ransom, but that they later settled for N500, 000.
“What I cannot explain is why they killed my daughter after paying the ransom to them. This is very wicked of them. I need justice and I believe the police will ensure that justice is done for the sake of my late daughter.”
However, Habu claimed that the girl died in an accident on a motorcycle when he was driving her away to their hideout.
According to him, “I had travelled to Kaduna State where I stayed and enjoyed with my female friends. We took drugs and indulged in gambling.”