Habibu Sale, a 24-year old suspect has been apprehended by men of the
Kano State Police Command after he allegedly kidnapped and killed an 8 year-old girl, Asiya Tasiu in Chikawa village, Gabasawa Local Government Area of the state.
Habibu was said to have also collected a ransom of N500,000 before the girl died.
His claim was that, the girl died as a result of an accident on a motorcycle when he was driving her away to their hideout.
Habibu was arrested on November 7 in front of his house after detectives have been on his trail for about five months.
Police investigations revealed that Habibu killed the girl after collecting the ransom and buried her in a shallow grave at the outskirts of Chikawa village to cover his crime because the victim, who lived in the same vicinity with him, could recognise and possibly expose him.
The victim, Asiya was going on an errand at her aunt’s place, when abducted, and unknown to the family, Habibu who is a neighbour to Asiya’s aunt, was the suspect.
Father of the victim, Alhaji Tasiu Mohammed Adamu, while speaking with journalists at the Police headquarters, said the kidnappers of his late daughter demanded N10 million ransom, “but we later settled for N500,000.
“What I cannot explain is why they killed my daughter after paying the ransom to them. This is very wicked of them. I need justice and I believe police will ensure that justice is done for the sake of my daughter.”
Kano State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), DSP Abdullahi Haruna, who spoke on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Habu A. Sani disclosed that:
“Investigations were spread to Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina and even Aba in Abia State before the suspect was finally arrested.
“However, Habibu confessed to have committed the crime alone. Police theory indicates that there are other accomplices at large because he confessed to having spent the N500,000 ransom on harlots, drugs and gambling.”
While confessing to the crime, Habibu said he was aware that he could be killed by hanging, but pleaded for mercy.
He however declined when asked to reveal members of his gang.
