Man arrested for setting girl ablaze in Bauchi

Operatives of the Bauchi State Police Command have arrested a 30-year-old man, Hamza Umar, for allegedly attempting to murder one Hafsat Bala by setting her on fire after pouring a gallon of kerosene on her.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, in a statement, said that the police operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested one Umar of Rafin Albasa area of Bauchi for allegedly causing grievous hurt and attempting to commit offence of culpable homicide.

 Wakil said, “According to the narration by the accused (Hamza Umar), the victim, Hafsat Bala, invaded his residence in Rafin Albasa area of Bauchi and walked around the premises. He asked her what brought her into his compound and in response, the girl told him that she was sent by her eldest sister to come and kill him. The accused (Mr Hamza Umar) tried to send her away from his compound, but the victim resisted, claiming that she was asked to bury some charms at the corner of the house.

 “The suspect further asked the victim to remove what she claimed to have buried in his compound but she refused. The suspect became furious at this point and poured her kerosene; setting her ablaze in his compound, claiming she was a witch.” 

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Wakil said on receiving the information, a team of detectives led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) rushed to the scene and evacuated the victim to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for immediate medical attention.

He added that a discreet investigation had been instituted to unravel the exact circumstances that led to the situation.

The command warned that nobody has the right to treat a human being in such a barbaric manner and it is wrong for anyone to assume the position of a law enforcement agency. He should have taken the minor and handed over to the police or any law enforcement agency saddled with the responsibility of investigation.