The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 54-year-old man, Umar Sule, for allegedly raping his biological daughter, resulting in a three-month pregnancy.
According to a press release issued on Friday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, the case was reported to authorities last week by a community member.
“On April 3, 2025, at about 16:30hrs, the command received a complaint from one Abdullahi Baban Karatu aged 55 years of Kurmin Ado village via Kariya ward, Ganjuwa LG, Bauchi State, through Ganjuwa Divisional headquarters against one Sule aged 54 years of the same address,” Wakil stated.
The police spokesperson detailed that the alleged sexual assaults occurred multiple times in the suspect’s matrimonial bedroom. “It was alleged that sometime in the month of November 2024 at about 21:00hrs, he premeditatedly had sexual intercourse with his biological daughter (name withheld), aged 17 years, in his matrimonial bedroom on different occasions.”
Following the report, the police immediately dispatched a team of specialized detectives to investigate the case. “Upon receipt of the report, a team of certified seasoned detectives was assigned to conduct a discreet investigation and arrest the accused,” Wakil explained.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime. “The suspect willingly admitted his wrongdoing and added that he had been molesting her several times on different occasions, which led to her pregnancy for three months, according to an examination report obtained from a medical practitioner,” revealed the PPRO.
The victim’s statement corroborated the suspect’s confession, with additional details about the circumstances of the abuse. “While interviewing the victim, she corroborated the suspect’s statements, adding that the incident happened when her mother travelled to visit her parents at Burra village via Ningi LGA, Bauchi state, which her father took advantage of and was having sexual intercourse with her,” Wakil stated.
The abuse was discovered when the victim’s mother returned home and noticed changes in her daughter’s appearance. “Thereafter, on the return of her mother, she observed the victim was pregnant and questioned her who was responsible. The victim disclosed that it was her biological father,” the statement continued.
Mrs. Aisha Gambo, a social worker with the Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs who spoke to our correspondent, expressed deep concern about the case. “This is unfortunately not an isolated incident. We are seeing an alarming increase in cases of incest and sexual abuse within family settings. The trauma these young victims experience is profound and long-lasting,” she said.
Dr. Musa Ibrahim, a psychologist at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, emphasized the psychological impact on the victim. “Such violations from a parent, who should be a protector, create severe trust issues and can lead to complex post-traumatic stress disorder. The victim will need extensive support and counseling,” he explained.
Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has directed that the case be charged to court as soon as investigations are completed. If convicted, Sule could face up to life imprisonment under the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, which has been domesticated in Bauchi State.
