The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested 37-year-old Abubakar Talba, a Quranic teacher, on charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting two Almajiri boys. The suspect, who hails from Hausari Dandal in Borno State, allegedly lured the minors under the pretense of helping them start small businesses.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, the arrest was made following a community complaint about Talba’s mistreatment of the boys. The suspect reportedly blamed his actions on the devil.
The investigation revealed that Talba met his first victim, a 12-year-old boy named Masaud Barau from Gamniya village in Niger Republic, at a Quranic school in Fagge, Kano State. Talba allegedly convinced the boy to follow him to Daura, Katsina State, under the guise of providing him with business capital.
In Daura, Talba encountered his second victim, a 13-year-old boy named Ibrahim Jabiru from Mai Mujiya village in Katsina State. Jabiru had been attending a Quranic school in Daura, where Talba also promised to help him start a business selling flashlights and batteries.
The suspect then moved the boys to Danbatta, Kano State, where he began sexually assaulting one of them inside a mosque. The abuse continued after they traveled to Udubo Village in Bauchi State.
The Bauchi State Police Command, led by CP Auwal Musa Mohammed, has stated that Talba will be charged in court once the investigation is concluded. The police have also urged the public to come forward with any information that could help locate the parents or guardians of the victims.
