Police command in Kano has arrested 24-year old man, Habibu Sale, who allegedly kidnapped and killed an eight-year old girl, Asiya Tasiu in Chikawa village, Gabasawa Local Government Area of Kano state.
The suspect was arrested five months after he had committed the offence.
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He was said to have kidnapped the girl sometime in June and killed her after collecting the ransom of N500, 000.
The Spokesman of Kano police command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa who confirmed the arrest after five months hunt said investigations are still ongoing to arrest the suspect’s accomplices.
Kiyawa who spoke on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Habu A. Sani, said the incident happened on June 5, this year, but police effected his arrest on November 7, 2020.
According to him, police investigations revealed that Habibu Sale killed the girl and buried her in a shallow grave at the outskirts of Chikawa village after collecting the ransom
Daily Trust learnt that the victim lived in the same area with suspect, which probably informed his decision to decimate her for fear of being exposed after she is released.
The Police Image-maker added that Habibu kidnapped Asiya while she was going for an errand in her Aunty’s place, adding that, “Habibu is a neighbour to Asiya’s Aunty.”
DSP Abdullahi Haruna said the suspect was arrested by men of operation Puff-Adder following the matching order by the Commissioner of Police who charged the operatives to swing into action and arrest the suspects.
He said investigations were spread to Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina and even Aba in Abia state, before the suspect was finally arrested in front of his house at Chikawa, Gabasawa local government area of Kano state.
“Though the suspect had confessed to have committed the crime alone, police theory indicates that there are other accomplice at large, because he confessed to have spent the N500, 000 ransom on harlots, drugs and gambling.
Father to the kidnapped and killed girl, Alhaji Tasiu Mohammed Adamu told journalists at the Bompai Police headquarters that the kidnappers of his late daughter demanded for N10 million ransom, “but we later settled for N500, 000.
“What I can not 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 police will ensure that justice is done for the sake of my daughter.”
Habu who confessed to have kidnapped the little girl and collected a ransom of N500, 000, however, said the girl died as a result of accident on a motorcycle when he was driving her away to their hideout.
While confessing to the crime, he said he was aware that he could be killed by hanging, but pleaded for mercy.
Though he was adamant of revealing members of his gang, Habibu confessed to have spent the N500, 000 ransom on women, drugs and gambling.
According to him, “I had travelled to Kaduna state where I stayed and enjoyed with my women friends. We took drugs and indulged in gambling.”
