The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two men, Yahaya Zubairu and Babangida Muhammad, both 20, for the kidnapping and murder of 9-year-old Barhama Abubakar in Alkaleri Local Government Area. The boy, reported missing on March 21, 2026, by his father Abubakar Saleh, was lured away by Babangida, a cousin, who sent him to buy biscuits and directed him to a primary school where he was picked up. A ransom demand of N1 million was made, police confirmed. The victim's decomposed body was later recovered following the arrest of the suspects, who allegedly tied his neck and legs, leading to his death.
According to police spokesperson SP Nafiu Habib, the suspects confessed to targeting the child's father, believing he had significant wealth. The crime occurred within the same compound where the family lived, underscoring the breach of trust. Detective work led by the Divisional Police Officer of Alkaleri Division resulted in the swift arrest. The case has been handed over to the Special Crimes Investigation Department for further probing.
Police Commissioner Sani-Omolori Aliyu urged parents and guardians to remain alert and report any suspicious behavior in their communities.
The murder of Barhama Abubakar by relatives over a N1 million ransom reveals a horrifying betrayal of family trust. When kinship becomes a weapon, as seen in this Alkaleri tragedy, it mirrors a deeper moral decay that no police advisory can quickly fix. This case hits close to home in a society where family bonds are still seen as sacred.
