Police arrest 45-year-old man over alleged defilement of neighbour’s child

Police in Bauchi State have arrested a 45-year-old man identified as Muhammad Makama over the alleged sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl who lives in the same neighbourhood.

According to police sources, the child’s mother grew concerned after noticing signs of physical distress and questioned her daughter, who then disclosed what had happened. The girl’s father subsequently filed a complaint at the local police division.

Officers arrested Makama at his residence shortly afterward. The child was taken to a hospital for medical examination and treatment, and doctors’ findings have reportedly been added to the police case file as evidence.

A police source said the arrest followed quickly on the family’s report and that the case is being handled by the command’s gender desk. Officials reiterated calls for parents to remain vigilant, including within familiar surroundings, and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to prosecuting offences against children under the state’s Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) law.

The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), where detectives handling gender-based violence cases are examining whether there may be earlier, unreported complaints involving the suspect. Once the SCID’s investigation concludes, Makama is expected to be arraigned in court on charges of child defilement, an offence that carries a possible life sentence under the relevant state law.