By Khalid Idris Doya
Residents of the Gwallaga community in Bauchi metropolis have called for a comprehensive investigation into the death of a 33-year-old resident, Najamu Aminu, whose body was discovered in a pool of blood inside his room.
The incident, which occurred in the Anguwar Gwallaga area of Bauchi on June 9, 2026, has left residents and family members in shock, with many expressing concern over the manner in which the case was initially handled by the police.
Speaking on behalf of the deceased's family and members of the community, yesterday legal practitioner Barr. Alkasim Muhammad alleged that Aminu was found with his throat slit and that officers from the Nigerian Police Force's Township Division responded to the scene and transported the body to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), where he was certified dead.
According to him, the body was released to the family for burial within three hours, after which Islamic funeral rites were conducted.
In a petition submitted to the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Alkasim said "We write on behalf of the family of the deceased and members of Zauren Sulhu da Inganta Tarbiyyar Al-Ummah, Gwallaga, Bauchi, seeking justice and a thorough investigation into this matter."
Alkasim stressed that the right to life is guaranteed under Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 4 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, arguing that every suspicious death deserves proper investigation.
He alleged that as of 10 June 2026, the Divisional Police Officer of DPO A Division Hassan A Musa failed to invite or arrest any suspect in connection with the alleged assassination of the deceased. He added that investigators had not returned to the scene to gather additional evidence or interview potential witnesses.
The community members further alleged that an imam in the area, Malam Ahmad Haji, was threatened after mentioning the incident during a sermon.
According to the petition, an unidentified individual allegedly warned the cleric against speaking publicly about the matter again.
Alkasim said since the incident, the Divisional Police Officer of DPO A Division Hassan A Musa as at 10th June, 2026 failed to invite or arrest any suspect in connection with the alleged assassination of the deceased.
The petition raised several questions regarding the handling of the case, including why the body was released for burial so quickly and why the matter was allegedly not immediately transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The community also claimed to possess additional evidence, including CCTV footage they believe could assist investigators, and said they had identified several persons of interest whose identities would only be disclosed to law enforcement authorities.
Among their demands are the constitution of a special investigative team, the exhumation of the victim's body for autopsy, the interrogation of identified suspects, and an inquiry into the actions of officers who initially handled the case.
Also speaking with journalists, a resident Ammar Gwallaga said "We believe this was a case of murder and we want a proper investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Since the incident occurred, many residents have struggled to sleep peacefully," he said.
Another resident, Lukman Hassan Rasta, also called on authorities to ensure justice is served and those responsible are prosecuted.
However, the Bauchi State Police Command has dismissed suggestions that the matter is being ignored, stating that a full-scale investigation is already underway.
Speaking through its spokesperson SP Nafiu Habib, police confirmed that they are investigating the suspected murder of Aminu Najamu, a 33-year-old, of Kobi Street, Gwallaga, Bauchi Local Government Area.
According to the statement, the deceased was last seen entering his room on June 7 and was discovered dead on June 9.
"Upon receipt of the report, operatives of 'A' Division, Township, commenced preliminary investigation. The case was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet and thorough investigation," the statement said.
The police spokesperson added that SCID detectives have since taken over the matter and are working to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and identify all those connected to the crime.
Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, assured the public that the Command would leave no stone unturned in ensuring justice is served.
He urged anyone with useful information to come forward and assist investigators, while reaffirming the Command's commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
The police said further updates would be provided as the investigation progresses.
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