The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 28-year-old suspected ritualist named Rufa’I Yunusa of Rumbu Village, Ningi Local Government who has been involved in the killing of not less than four little children between the ages of two and four years.
His arrest on Wednesday 17th February, 2021 followed a complaint lodged at the Ganjuwa Division of the State Command, the Bauchi Police Public Relations Officer SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil said in a statement at the weekend.
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The complainant one Isyaku Ahmed of Unguwan Yamma, Kafin Madaki who reported that on Tuesday 16th February, 2021, he took his daughter, one Maimuna Isyaku to a native doctor (Rufa’i Yunusa) for treatment where the said Rufa’i told him that his daughter was suffering from a spiritual ailment and assured him that she will be cured.
He then solicited for, and got the sum of N10,000 from the father, after which he took the little girl into the forest purportedly for a spiritual healing session only to return after a while to inform the father that the little girl had mysteriously disappeared during the process.
On receipt of the report, the Ganjuwa Divisional Patrol team swung into action, combed the entire forest and found the slaughtered body of Maimuna.
She was immediately rushed to a hospital where she was pronounced dead by a medical doctor.
The ritualist (Rufa’i Yunusa) has since been arrested in connection to the crime and, during interrogation, he voluntarily confessed to have slaughtered Maimuna.
He further revealed that she was not his only victim and claimed to usually carry out the act with parental consent by tacitly informing them that the children may not return during healing sessions.
A knife and 26 pairs of children clothing were recovered as exhibits during the operation and investigationa are on-going after which the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution/possible conviction.
The command cautioned parents to be wary of whom they usually take their children to for any form of healing and should not allow desperation to be their guide in seeking remedy for their sick children.
