Bauchi man found slaughtered in room as rights group faults police investigation
Man Found Dead in Bauchi, Investigation Under Scrutiny
Bauchi, Nigeria – A 33-year-old man, Najamu Aminu, was found dead in his home in the Gwallaga area of Bauchi metropolis on June 9, raising alarm among local residents and prompting concerns regarding the police investigation.
Aminu was discovered in a pool of blood, leading residents to suspect that he may have been attacked while asleep. The violent nature of the crime has generated fear and shock within the community.
The incident was reported to the Township Police Division, commonly known as “A Division.” Officers recovered the body and subsequently released it to the family for burial. However, the Organisation for African Child Development and Human Rights Protection has raised questions about the police’s handling of the case.
Alkasim Muhammad, team lead for the organization, expressed concerns during a press briefing about the lack of arrests or interrogations a few days after the incident. He also criticized the police for not returning to the crime scene to interview witnesses or gather additional evidence.
Muhammad questioned the quick decision to release Aminu’s body for burial just three hours after it was recovered. He noted that homicide cases usually require referral to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation, rather than being addressed at the divisional level.
“The Divisional Police Officer treated this homicide case without escalating it,” he stated. “Why was the crime scene not revisited for further investigation?”
The organization is urging the Commissioner of Police to form a special investigation team, conduct an autopsy, apprehend suspects, and scrutinize the actions of the Divisional Police Officer.
In response, SP Nafiu Abubakar, spokesperson for the Bauchi State Police Command, indicated that the case has since been transferred to the SCID for a comprehensive investigation. He noted that initial inquiries were conducted at the Township Division before escalation.
“The SCID has taken over the matter and is conducting an in-depth investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding Aminu’s death and to apprehend those involved,” Abubakar said.
He also assured residents that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, is committed to resolving the case and encouraged anyone with pertinent information to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
