A 16-year-old girl in Bauchi State has returned home after allegedly being lured away, abducted and sexually assaulted by a 24-year-old man who reportedly promised to marry her.
The suspect, identified as Jafar Mohammed of Zango Ward, Bauchi, was arrested by police operatives in Kaduna State in October following an investigation into the teenager’s disappearance.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Bauchi State Police Command, the case came to light after the victim’s 35-year-old elder sister reported her disappearance.
The police said the woman, from Makwalla Ward in Bauchi, submitted a written petition to the command on September 3, 2026, stating that her younger sister had been missing since August 5.
She reportedly said efforts to locate the teenager had proved unsuccessful, prompting police detectives to launch an investigation.
During the investigation, operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) tracked the victim’s mobile phone number and discovered that the phone was in the possession of the suspect in Abuja.
The police said the teenager returned home on August 8 and alleged that Mohammed had deceitfully lured her away under the pretext of marrying her before having sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
Following intelligence-led investigations, SCID operatives arrested the suspect in October at the Hayin Rigasa area of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The command said the suspect confessed to the allegations during interrogation, although the case remains under investigation.
The matter is currently being handled by the Gender Laboratory of the SCID in Bauchi.
The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, said the command maintained zero tolerance for gender-based violence and all forms of abuse against minors.
He assured the public that justice would be pursued and urged parents and guardians to closely monitor their children and wards.
The police said investigations were ongoing.
