The Bauchi State Police Command has apprehended a 19-year-old woman, Esther Gambo, for allegedly kidnapping a newborn baby and murdering two seven-year-old girls, Khadija Sama’ila and A’isha Dahiru, in Toro Local Government Area. According to the police, Esther lured the girls with the intention of obtaining the newborn female child belonging to Nafisa Dahiru. After acquiring the baby, she allegedly led the girls to a nearby maize farm, where she brutally killed them with a machete.
The police received a report of the incident on July 22, 2025, and promptly responded with a team of officers collaborating with local vigilante groups. They successfully recovered the deceased bodies of the young girls, apprehended Esther Gambo, and rescued the kidnapped newborn victim. Preliminary investigations revealed that Esther’s motive was to obtain the newborn baby, and she has been arrested in connection with the crime.
The incident sparked violent protests among local Muslim youth, resulting in the arson of churches and attempts to set fire to the Tulu Divisional Police Headquarters. Reinforcements from the Area Command Toro and neighboring divisions were deployed to restore order, successfully repelling aggressive actions against the police station. As a result of the unrest, 16 suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, including Abbas Abdullahi, 20, Mubarak Auwal, 19, and others.
Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has emphasized the importance of upholding the law and maintaining public order within the state. He expressed concern over recent actions that undermine legal principles and appealed to community members to refrain from taking the law into their own hands. The Commissioner reassured the public that a thorough investigation is underway and encouraged everyone to remain calm as the situation is addressed appropriately.
The police commissioner also called on everyone to respect the rights of individuals, regardless of the circumstances, and highlighted that law enforcement must remain in the hands of trained professionals. With the arrest of Esther Gambo and other suspects, the police are working to ensure justice is served and peace is restored in the community.
