Police Arrest Couple Over Child Abuse in Borno
The Borno State Police Command has arrested a couple following the circulation of a disturbing video that shows the physical abuse of a young girl in the Pompomari area of Maiduguri.
The arrest was confirmed on Saturday by the spokesperson for the Police Command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso.
He stated, “On March 19, 2025, an 11-year-old girl, Hauwa Mohammed Goni, a Primary 5 student at Bolori Primary School, Federal Low Cost, entered the residence of one Mr. Muhammad Shetima, 33, in Pompomari to pick mangoes.
“In response, Mr. Shetima and his wife, Mrs. Aishatu Abubakar, 23, confronted the child and subjected her to brutal flogging. During the assault, Mrs. Abubakar filmed the incident and later shared the video on social media.”
The incident quickly attracted the attention of concerned citizens and civil society organizations, including a petition filed by Potential Attorneys, prompting immediate action. With the assistance of concerned members of the public and operatives from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the couple was arrested.
ASP Daso confirmed that the victim has been taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for medical treatment and is reportedly responding well to care.
The suspects are currently being held at the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Maiduguri, where investigations are ongoing ahead of their prosecution.
“The Command assures the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted, and the suspects will be prosecuted under the relevant sections of the Child Protection Law and the Borno State Penal Code Law,” ASP Daso added.
For the sake of accountability and transparency, the Police Command pledged to continue updating the public on the progress of the case.
