Woman poisons six-year-old stepson in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a woman accused of poisoning her six-year-old stepson, while another suspect has been apprehended over the death of a five-year-old girl in separate incidents in the state.

The police said the two cases occurred in Alkaleri and Ganjuwa Local Government Areas, with both investigations transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further action.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafi’u Habib, disclosed this to journalists on Monday in Bauchi.

He said the first incident occurred in Kwaimawa community, Alkaleri LGA, where six-year-old Mubarak Ibrahim allegedly fell ill after drinking a beverage given to him by his stepmother, Fatima Ibrahim.

According to Habib, the child began vomiting uncontrollably shortly after taking the drink.

His family rushed him to the Primary Health Centre in Kwaimawa before transferring him to the Federal Medical Centre, Gombe, where he received treatment for eight days.

Mubarak was confirmed dead by doctors on October 24, 2026.

Habib said detectives launched an investigation after receiving a report from the village head of Kwaimawa, leading to the arrest of the stepmother, who remains in custody.

In a separate incident, the police arrested Sadiku Musa in connection with the death of five-year-old Jabiba Abubakar in Zaila community, Ganjuwa LGA.

The police spokesman said the girl, who was staying with her aunt in Zaila and her grandfather in Badaromo village, had been reported missing.

“On 24th October, 2026 at about 7am, the community’s hope turned to horror as her tiny body was found abandoned in a small pit behind the village,” Habib said.

He added that officers from the Soro Police Division cordoned off the scene after receiving the report and arrested Musa in connection with the incident.

The police said both cases had been transferred to the SCID in Bauchi for discreet and thorough investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, described the incidents as heartbreaking and inhuman, pledging that the command would pursue justice for the deceased children.

“These are innocent souls. Children who looked up to adults for protection. We will ensure that justice speaks for Habiba and Mubarak,” he said.

The commissioner also urged parents, guardians and community leaders to pay closer attention to children’s safety and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.