Bauchi Commissioner Admits Custody Of Allegedly Abducted Child

Bauchi Commissioner Admits Custody Of Allegedly Abducted Child

Bauchi State Commissioner for Water Resources, Abdulrazak Zaki, has confirmed that the child he was accused of abducting is currently in his custody…READ MORE…

Speaking to journalists in Bauchi on Saturday, Zaki admitted that his son, accompanied by policemen attached to him, carried out the alleged abduction from the child’s school two weeks ago.

His ex-wife, Ikilima Soro, had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, alleging that her child was forcibly taken on January 20, 2025. She claimed masked policemen in an unmarked vehicle intercepted the school bus and took the child away.

In response, Zaki stated that his actions were backed by a Sharia court ruling, which granted him custody of the child. He further claimed that the State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, and Bauchi Commissioner of Police, Auwal Mohammed, supported the move.

However, the Bauchi State High Court had earlier ruled that both parties should maintain the status quo pending the final determination of the case. Despite this, Zaki admitted to enrolling the 8-year-old child in a boarding school in Gombe State, defying the high court’s order that affirmed the child’s custody with the mother.

Reacting to the situation, human rights activist and public interest lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, condemned Zaki’s actions, stating that forcefully taking a person and intercepting transportation constitutes a criminal offense under the Terrorism Prevention Act 2010.

Abubakar also emphasized that the state high court holds superior jurisdiction over the Sharia court and that its ruling should be upheld.