8 suspected ritualists arrested for abduction and murder of 6-year-old boy in Gombe

Saturday, April 26, 2025 - The Gombe State Police Command has arrested eight suspected ritualists over the abduction and murder of a 6-year-old boy, Muhammad Ibrahim Bulama, in Bura-Bunga village, Bojude District in Kwami Local Government Area of the state.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, April 25, said the suspects confessed to k!lling the boy for money ritual purposes. 

According to the PPRO, the heinous crime was masterminded by the boy's father, who is currently at large.  

“The Gombe State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of a tragic and deeply disturbing criminal case involving the alleged abduction and gruesome k!lling of a six-year-old boy, Muhammad Ibrahim Bulama, a resident of Bura-Bunga village via Bojude, Gombe State by eight suspects, where the suspects confessed to have committed this heinous act for money making purpose money ritual,” the statement read. He identified the suspects as Magaji Adamu (Wazam), 45 years, of Bura-Bunga village via Bojude, Babayo Musa, 18 years, of Bura-Bunga village via Bojude, Jibrin Muhammad (Alias Ya’Haji), 40 years, of London Maidoruwa Quarters, Gombe, Usman Abubakar Khalla, 37 years, of Tappi village, Sadam Umaru, 28 years, of Tudun Wada Quarters, Gombe, Idris Dayyabu, 45 years, of Kwami LGA, Gombe, Abdulrauf Hussaini, 33 years, of Kwami village and Isiyaku Muhammad, 39 years, of Dirri village via Bojude. 

"Sometime in mid-February 2025, the grandfather of the deceased discovered that the boy had not slept in the house. His absence sparked immediate concern and a search commenced. 

"Sadly, the whereabouts of the child remained unknown not until on the 18th April 2025 at about 1100hrs, when a formal complaint was lodged by one Ibrahim Bulama, grandfather of the deceased, at Bojude Divisional Police Headquarters. 

"Two (2) suspects were arrested thereafter and transferred to the Anti kidnapping squad for further investigation.

"Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad swung into action and successfully arrested additional six (6) suspects in connection with the heinous crime.

"Preliminary investigation reveals the following: 

(a) Magaji Adamu "M" confessed to have received the victim from Babayo Musa and slaughtered him with a knife in the bush area of Wuro-Doya then father divided the body into two equal parts and dumped the upper half (from waist upwards) into a well. Thereafter handed over the other half (from waist downward) to Jibrin muh’d and Usman Abubakar.

(b) Babayo Musa confessed to abducting the victim at his grandfather's house at about 1730hrs and aiding in the killing at Bura-Bunga village together with Magaji Adamu.

(c) Jibrin Muhammad (Ya’Haji) "M" and Usman Abubakar "M" were arrested in Gombe town at London mai Doruwa. They confessed to have collected the lower part of the victim’s body together from Magaji Adamu and an accomplice identified as Gimba, who is currently at large.

(d) Sadam Umaru "M" played a conspiratorial role by providing information on how to locate a native doctor and facilitated the procurement of human parts.

(e) Idris Dayyabu "M" and Abdulrauf Hussaini "M" are the native doctors and they confessed to have asked for human part to aid them in performing the ritual and took possession of the victim’s remains, removed flesh from the lower body, and buried the rest.

 (f) Isiyaku Muhammad was arrested for criminal conspiracy and concealment, having had full knowledge of the crime but failed to report it until he was implicated in the investigation.

"It is important to note that the said Gimba "M" who is now at large is the unwed father of the victim and the mastermind of the k!lling of the six years old boy for money making ritual.

"This Command assures the public that thorough investigation is ongoing to ensure that all those involved in this gruesome act, including those still at large, are brought to justice.

“The Commissioner of Police, Gombe State Command, CP Bello Yahaya psc+, urges residents to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information that can aid in combating criminal activities across the State.”