Bauchi Police arrest 30-year-old Hamza for setting teenager ablaze, causing grievous hurt

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Hafsat Bala, victim of attempted murder 

By Akanji Alowoludo Bauchi

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

According to the Command PPRO, SP Ahmed Wakili in a press statement he made available to Journalists, on 18/06/2023 at about 1930hrs, Police operatives attached to the Command acted on Credible Intelligence and arrested one Hamza Umar of Rafin Albasa area of Bauchi for causing grievous hurt and attempt to commit offence of Culpable Homicide.

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 then asked her what brought her into his compound and, In response, the girl told him that she was sent by her eldest sister to  kill him. 

The PPRO aded that the accused 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, at the point, the suspect became furious and poured a gallon of kerosene and set her ablaze in his compound, claiming she was a witch.   

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.

The suspected car thief, Yusuf Mohammed 

On the other hand, a discreet Investigation has been instituted to unravel the exact circumstances that led to the situation, the suspect will be charged to Court for the established Offences upon completion of the Investigation unfailingly.

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 agencies saddled with the responsibility of investigation.

Also, on 16/06/2023 at about 0910hrs, a distress call was received from a good Samaritan at Muda Lawal market, Bauchi that on the same date, at about 0905hrs, a suspected car thief entered a parked Pontiac Vibe motor vehicle in an attempt to cart it away.

On receiving the report, a team of Police detectives attached to C Divisional Police Headquarters, Bauchi arrived scene where one Yusuf Muhammed, aged 34 of No. 24 Rijiyan Zaki, Kano State was arrested alongside a Vehicle with reg no. AP-675-BAU Model Pontiac Vibe, black in colour with Chassis no. 5428XL62884242598 valued at N1,500.000.00, whi6was also recovered.

Preliminary Investigation revealed that the suspect was seen when the owner of the vehicle parked at the point and walked into the Muda Lawal for his endeavours, when the car snatcher moved to the car position and entered trying to kick start after making attempts to dismantle the key sensor of the Car and Ignite it.

During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime and also mentioned one Mohammed Auwal now at large as his accomplice.

Efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing culprit, Investigation is ongoing after which the suspect will be charged to court for prosecution upon completion of Investigation for the established offences accordingly.