Kebbi police arrests father, other over plan to use daughter for ritual

From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested Shamsu Adamu, a father of a four-year, six-month-old girl, along with other suspects for planning to use the girl in a money ritual.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

According to him, “On the 4th of February, 2025, at about 19:00hrs, one Bello Abubakar, a male from Koko town, conspired with Jamilu Bello, Safiyanu Bello, Usman Inda, all males, and Idrisu Yauri, who is now at large, and deceitfully collected the sum of Two Million, Twenty Five Thousand Naira (₦2,025,000.00) from Shamsu Adamu with a promise to print Thirty Million CFA for him.

“When they demanded more money and he could not meet up, they told him to bring a child for sacrifice or face wrath for disobeying them. In view of that, he brought his daughter named Amina Shamsu, aged 4 years, 6 months.

“Based on credible intelligence, a team of policemen from Koko Divisional Police Headquarters immediately mobilised to the scene and arrested the suspects. As a result, one calabash, white clothes, black clothes, three bottles of local perfume, and charms were recovered as exhibits.”

Abubakar also disclosed that on the 9th of February, 2025, at about 20:00hrs, one Abubakar Muhammad, a commercial motorcyclist, was conveying two passengers, Abdullahi Bello and Jamilu Adamu, to Unguwar Mairago village in Birnin Kebbi LGA.

“Upon reaching a sandy area while in transit, the cyclist slowed down. Suddenly, four people appeared with sticks and knives and started beating them. As a result, they shouted for help, which alerted the police officers at a nearby checkpoint. They responded promptly and successfully apprehended Bashar Abdullahi and Babangida Hassan, all males from Shiyar Zabarmawa area, Birnin Kebbi.

“A knife was recovered from them as an exhibit, while the remaining two suspects fled.

“In light of the above, the Commissioner of Police, Kebbi State Command, CP Bello M. Sani, commended the promptness of the police officers in arresting the suspects. He urged others to emulate them by always being vigilant and ready to respond to distress calls while on duty.

“He also directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department, to intensify efforts to track down the two fleeing suspects and ensure a diligent investigation and prosecution upon completion of the investigation.”