IG Demands Update On Abducted Bauchi, Zamfara Girls

The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, has demanded the progress reports on investigations into the abduction of four teenage girls, who were forcefully converted to Islam in Bauchi and Zamfara States.

The IG directed the Bauchi and Zamfara Police commands to furnish his office with the report on the abductions.

Sunday PUNCH had reported the abduction of three girls in Bauchi, namely Progress Jacob, 13; Blessing Gopep, 13; and Linda Christopher, 16.

Lucy Ejeh,20, was also abducted in Zamfara State when she was 15 years old.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, said the police high command would ensure that all the teenagers were rescued in a short time and their abductors punished accordingly.

She stated that she could not give details of the investigation into the incidents because the Force Headquarters had yet to get a briefing from the respective state police commands handling the probe.

“The police have already swung into action to ensure the rescue of the three teenagers from their abductors. The IG has directed the two state police commands to provide the report of investigations into the incidents and I want to assure Nigerians that the girls will be rescued and all those involved in their abduction will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Kolawole stated on Sunday.

When asked how early the girls would be rescued, the police spokesperson said, “Within the shortest time.”

Meanwhile, the police stated that they have initiated an enquiry to determine the level of culpability of its personnel in the shoddy handling of Ese Oruru’s abduction by Yunusa Dahiru.

The police spokesperson confirmed that some senior officers had been queried, adding that all the officers involved in the initial investigation were under administrative probe.

Our correspondent had reported exclusively last Thursday that the AIG in charge of Zone 1, Kano, and other senior officers were queried over the case.

Kolawole said the senior officers and the junior personnel involved in Ese’s abduction probe “are all facing internal administrative inquiry as directed by the IG.”

(Punch)