Body of kidnapped 8-year-old girl found in Jalingo

Category: News Published on Friday, 22 February 2013 05:00 Written by Itodo Daniel Sule, Jalingo

Eight year old daughter of a staff officer with the Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture, has been killed by suspected ritualists and her decapitated body dumped in an uncompleted building at Angwa Aisha Nana in Turaki Ward of Jalingo.

Khadijat Hassan, the only daughter of Mallam Hassan Sariti, was said to have been kidnapped Friday afternoon when she and her younger brothers went to a mosque in the area for prayers.

The victim’s uncle, Aliyu Hassan, said the incident occurred around three 3pm.

“She went to the mosque with her two brothers, so we were surprised when the two others returned without her. All efforts to trace her whereabouts since then have been unsuccessful. It was on Wednesday at about 11 am that her decomposing body was found in an uncompleted building”, he said.

According to him, a neighbour perceived an offensive odour emitting from the area and alerted the community members, who moved there only to find the decomposing body of the girl in one of the rooms. He said the matter has been reported to the police.

Hassan complained that such incidents have become rampant in the area, adding that a three year old girl was kidnapped about two weeks ago, but was rescued by residents who heard her scream. He lamented that the community lacks police presence, saying, “The houses here are more than 2,000, we deserve to have a police outpost here”.

When contacted, Taraba State Police Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent Amos Olaoye, confirmed the incident, saying investigation into the matter is ongoing.

“The command is aware and we are putting measures to avert such in the nearest future. It is the first of its kind in the state and we are doing our best to ensure it doesn’t repeat itself,” he added.