Police Rescue 2 Abducted Taraba Teenagers, Arrest 2 Suspects in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has rescued two 13-year-old girls allegedly taken from their community in Taraba State and arrested two suspects connected to the incident in Kirfi Local Government Area of the state.

The victims, identified as Aisha and Zainab, were reported missing in March after leaving their homes in Fangari Hamlet, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, the rescue operation followed a complaint filed on March 10, 2026, by the father of one of the girls after efforts by both families to locate them proved unsuccessful.

Acting on intelligence and investigative leads, police operatives traced the girls to Bara Town in Kirfi LGA of Bauchi State, where they were safely recovered.

Preliminary investigations indicated that two suspects — Auwal Muhammad and Abdulgaffar Musa, both 20 years old and residents of Unguwar Zangoma in Bara Town — allegedly conspired to move the minors from Taraba State to Bauchi without parental consent.

The suspects were arrested, while the rescued girls were placed under police protection pending reunification with their families.

Police said the matter has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling crimes involving children.

“The Command will not tolerate child abduction or exploitation in any form. Parents and guardians are advised to monitor their children and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station,” he said.

The command also assured residents of continued efforts to safeguard vulnerable persons and ensure those responsible for child-related crimes face justice.