A wave of grief has swept through the Bajego area of Minna following the discovery of the body of three-year-old Khadija Mohammed, who went missing four days earlier.
Her remains were found in an uncompleted building, a development that has thrown the community into deep mourning.
Khadija was last seen on Sunday around 11 a.m. after her mother, Sa’adatu Hassan, gave her N20 to buy bubble gum from a nearby shop.
When the toddler did not return, the family initially assumed she might be playing with neighbours, but concern grew as the evening approached with no sign of her.
Her father, Hassan Mohammed, a tricycle operator, reported her disappearance to the GRA Police Station and joined community members in searching the neighbourhood.
Despite several leads and rumours of sightings, the search yielded no results.
Police later arrested two suspects following witnesses reports, but the situation took a tragic turn when Mr Mohammed received a distressing phone call directing him to an uncompleted building in the area.
There, he discovered his daughter’s lifeless and swollen body.
Overwhelmed with grief, he said he had surrendered the matter to God. “I leave everything in the hands of Allah,” he said.
A police officer at the scene confirmed that officers had acted on the missing person report and searched several locations, including uncompleted structures.
However, the child was not found until the distress call led the family to the site.
Due to the condition of the body, authorities advised the family to proceed with immediate burial.
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The police said investigations would continue with renewed urgency. “We will not rest until the perpetrators, if any, are identified and brought to justice,” the officer assured.
The Bajego community was thrown into fear and sorrow following the incident, with residents calling for heightened vigilance and collective measures to safeguard children.
Authorities urged anyone with useful information to assist with the ongoing investigation.
