Metro
Woman Burns Stepdaughter’s Private Parts in Bauchi, Arrested
The Police in Bauchi State have arrested a housewife, Aisha Gaide, for allegedly burning the private parts of her eight-year-old stepdaughter with matches.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, who disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Bauchi on Tuesday, explained that the suspect was angry at the little girl and decided to burn her private parts with matches after severe beating.
He stated that the suspect was arrested and taken to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Wakil said, “On February 15, 2021, around 6pm, the Secretary to the State Action Committee on Gender Based Violence, Mrs Talatu Musa, arrested and brought one Aisha Abdullahi Gaide of Kofar Durmi near Tudun Tarima, Bauchi, to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
“Musa complained that on February 14, 2021, around 1pm, the suspect molested her eight-year-old stepdaughter of the same address.
“The victim had allegedly defecated on her clothes while sleeping and this provoked her stepmother, Aisha, who reacted by beating her with an electric wire.
“After that, she lighted matches and put them on the victim’s private parts. As a result, she sustained high degree of burns on her private parts and some other parts of her body.”
The PPRO added that on the receipt of the information, a team of detectives was drafted and took the victim to hospital for emergency treatment.
He said the command would soon carry out a “high level investigation” to ascertain the facts of the case, after which the suspect would be charged.
Wakil added that a teenager and one other person were also arrested for allegedly gang-raping a 16-year-old mentally-ill girl in the state.
According to him, the suspects conspired among themselves and forcefully took their victim to an uncompleted building, where they had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.
The PPRO stated, “On February 11, 2021, around 4pm, one Muhammad Abubakar (50) of Tatari Ali Quarter, Azare, reported that on the same date around 3pm, one Kabiru Nuhu (20) and Ado Auwal (19) of the same address criminally conspired and had unlawful carnal knowledge of his mentally-ill daughter, aged 16, in an uncompleted building.
“On receipt of the report, a team of detectives was drafted to the scene and rushed the victim to the General Hospital, Azare, while the suspects have since been arrested.”
He said during interrogation, the suspects made voluntary confessional statements admitting to have committed the offence.
Similarly, Wakil stated that on February 3, 2021, around 5.30pm, one Prince Yohanna of the National Identity Card registration centre in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of the state reported to the police that one Godiya Ishaku of the same address allegedly raped an 18-year-old girl of Dot village in the Dass Local Government Area of the state.
He explained that the suspect induced the girl and took her to an uncompleted building and inflicted an injury on her hand with a knife before raping her.
The Punch
The Lagos State Security Trust Fund has intensified support for community-based security with the donation of 100 anti-riot kits and 1,000 pairs of operational boots to the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Agency.
The high quality modern equipment was presented on behalf of the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, by the Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis, to the General Manager of LNSA, Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, at the Agency’s headquarters in Oshodi.
The Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency plays a critical role in grassroots security as they support the police through intelligence gathering, routine patrols, and community policing initiatives across all local government areas in the state. The Corps is also tasked with maintaining law and order, detecting suspicious activities, and fostering safety awareness within communities.
The intervention is expected to further strengthen neighbourhood-level security architecture and deepen collaboration between communities and formal law enforcement agencies in State.
The Federal government has declared Friday, May 1, a public holiday to commemorate this year’s International Workers’ Day.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the announcement on behalf of the government.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Magdalene Ajani, the minister congratulated workers nationwide, commending their commitment and contributions to national development.
He noted that the dedication of Nigerian workers remains vital to the country’s growth and economic progress, urging them to sustain values of patriotism, productivity and diligence.
Tunji-Ojo also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare, enhancing security and creating an enabling environment for economic expansion.
He called on Nigerians to remain peaceful and law-abiding during the celebration, encouraging citizens to reflect on the importance of unity and hard work in nation-building.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed concern over the rising pressure on workers’ welfare and economic conditions of the country.
The Congress warned that it would embark on nationwide protest, if there is no improvement.
The warning was conveyed in in a communiqué jointly signed by the TUC President, Mr. Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, Mr. Nuhu Toro, at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja.
The Congress said the NEC meeting reviewed the state of the nation, developments within the congress, preparations for the 2026 May Day celebration, and other critical issues affecting Nigerian workers.
“The prevailing economic hardship has significantly affected the living standards of Nigerian workers, making daily survival increasingly difficult.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, and if there is no improvement, the congress will have no option but to mobilise workers in defence of their welfare.
“Government must urgently take concrete steps to address the rising cost of living and restore confidence in the economy,” it said.
The Congress said rising fuel prices, inflation, electricity tariff increases and insecurity had combined to erode workers’ purchasing power and living standards.
It noted that global developments, including the Iran–U.S. conflict, were further worsening economic pressures through higher energy costs and supply chain disruptions.
According to the TUC, Nigerian workers have not benefited from higher global oil prices but continue to face rising costs of transportation, food and essential services.
It urged the Federal Government to deploy excess crude revenue to cushion economic shocks and support vulnerable citizens.
The congress also called for urgent measures to stabilise fuel prices, improve electricity supply, and address insecurity nationwide.
It emphasised the need for policies that promote decent work, job security and social protection.
“The government must prioritise the welfare, dignity and security of Nigerian workers in all policy decisions,” it said.
The TUC further called for tax relief for manufacturing companies and workers to ease economic pressure and stimulate productivity.
On electricity, it condemned repeated tariff increases without improved service delivery and demanded fair pricing, universal metering, and an end to estimated billing.
The congress expressed concern over rising insecurity, describing it as a major threat to economic activities and workers’ safety.
It urged government at all levels to adopt coordinated, intelligence-driven strategies to protect lives, farms, businesses and critical infrastructure.
“A stitch in time saves nine,” the communiqué added.
