Residents of the Gwallaga area of Bauchi metropolis have been gripped by fear following the killing of a 33-year-old man, Najamu Aminu, whose body was discovered in his room under suspicious circumstances.
The deceased was reportedly found dead in a pool of blood on June 9, sparking concerns among residents who believe he may have been attacked while asleep.
The incident was reported to the Township Police Division, also known as “A Division,” where officers recovered the corpse before releasing it to the family for burial.
However, the handling of the case has drawn criticism from the Organisation for African Child Development and Human Rights Protection, which questioned the pace and nature of the police investigation.
Speaking with journalists, the organisation’s Team Lead, Alkasim Muhammad, alleged that several days after the incident, no suspect had been arrested or invited for questioning.
He further claimed that investigators had not returned to the crime scene to interview witnesses or gather additional evidence.
Muhammad also raised concerns over the decision to release the victim’s body for burial shortly after it was recovered, as well as the alleged delay in transferring the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
According to him, homicide cases should receive more extensive scrutiny, including forensic examinations and broader investigative procedures.
The rights group called on the Commissioner of Police to establish a special investigative team, order an autopsy on the deceased, ensure the arrest of those responsible for the killing, and review the conduct of officers who initially handled the case.
Responding to the allegations on Saturday, the spokesman for the Bauchi State Police Command, SP Nafiu Abubakar, said the matter had already been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Abubakar explained that was preliminary inquiries were conducted by the Township Division before the case was escalated for a more comprehensive investigation.
He stated that detectives from the SCID had taken over the probe and were working to determine the circumstances surrounding Aminu’s death and identify those involved.
The police spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had assured residents that the command would pursue the case diligently and ensure that justice is served.
He also appealed to members of the public with useful information to assist investigators by coming forward to support the ongoing inquiry.