The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old boy, Auwalu Muhammad, for allegedly plucking out his seven-year-old sister’s eyes in what authorities described as a suspected money ritual attempt.
The shocking incident occurred on October 17, in Wailo town, Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Police spokesperson, CSP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday, describing the act as “gruesome and deeply disturbing.”
According to the statement, the suspect lured his sister, Rukayya Muhammad, into a nearby bush under false pretence before attacking her and removing both eyes.
The victim was immediately rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where doctors confirmed that she had permanently lost her sight.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, Auwalu, lured his biological sister into the bush, attacked her, and forcefully plucked out both eyes for a money ritual in a desperate attempt to gain wealth,” Wakil said.
Police operatives from the Soro Division, led by CSP Aliyu Mohammad Goni, swiftly arrested the teenage suspect after receiving a distress report from the victim’s father, Muhammad Adamu.
Further investigations led to the arrest of five other suspected members of a ritualist syndicate believed to be connected to the crime.
They were identified as Mohammed Rabiu (19), Saleh Ibrahim (20), Nasiru Muhammad, Hassan Garba, and Garba Dahiru (43), all residents of Soro town in Ganjuwa Local Government Area.
Wakil disclosed that the suspects had voluntarily confessed to the crime during interrogation, adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a thorough investigation.
He assured the public that justice would be served and warned against the growing menace of ritual-related crimes in the state.
The police command also commended residents who promptly provided information leading to the arrests, urging continued cooperation to rid the state of criminal elements.
