Police Arraign NDLEA Official in Bauchi over Alleged Rape of 8 Year Old Girl

From Paul Orude Bauchi

The Bauchi State Police Command has officially arraigned Muhammad Mustapha Makama, a 45-year-old operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), over the alleged rape of an eight-year-old girl.

This comes after weeks of intense pressure from the victim’s family and human rights advocates, who publicly accused law enforcement of stalling the case.

The ordeal began on July 5, 2026, when the incident was formally reported to the ‘E’ Division of the Nigeria Police Force in Bauchi. 

According to reports, the 45-year-old NDLEA official allegedly lured the innocent child before committing the assault.

Following the arrest, the suspect remained in police custody for over three weeks without formal charges. 

The delay prompted the victim’s mother, Salamatu Musa, to seek legal aid to break the deadlock.

Human rights advocate Barrister Alkasim Mohammed, and founder of the Organization for African Child Development and Human Rights Protection, stepped in to champion the family’s cause. 

The organisation wrote a formal petition directly to the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police titled: “Urgent Demand for Immediate Prosecution of Muhammad Mustapha Makama of NDLEA for the Offence of Rape Pursuant to the Provisions of Sections 278 and 279: A Case for Justice.

“We write on the authority and briefing of Salamatu Musa, the mother of the alleged rape victim, to seek justice for her daughter,” Barrister Alkasim stated,.

He emphasized that the organization acted to prevent the case from being swept under the rug

Following the petition, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Nafiyu Habib confirmed that detectives concluded their initial investigations, allowing the suspect to be formally charged to court.

The case was slated for its first major hearing at Bauchi High Court 12 on Thursday

 The atmosphere at the court complex was thick with emotion as the families of both the victim and the suspect arrived in large numbers, seeking answers.

However, formal legal arguments could not proceed as scheduled as the presiding judge, Aliyu Bin Idris, was indisposed, forcing an unexpected adjournment.

Despite the temporary courtroom delay, legal steps were taken to ensure the suspect remains secure. 

The court ordered that Muhammad Mustapha Makama be remanded at the local Correctional Centre

Human rights advocate Barrister Alkasim Mohammed, and founder of the Organization for African Child Development and Human Rights Protection, stepped in to champion the family’s cause. 

The organisation wrote a formal petition directly to the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police titled: “Urgent Demand for Immediate Prosecution of Muhammad Mustapha Makama of NDLEA for the Offence of Rape Pursuant to the Provisions of Sections 278 and 279: A Case for Justice.

“We write on the authority and briefing of Salamatu Musa, the mother of the alleged rape victim, to seek justice for her daughter,” Barrister Alkasim stated,.

He emphasized that the organization acted to prevent the case from being swept under the rug

Following the petition, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Nafiyu Habib confirmed that detectives concluded their initial investigations, allowing the suspect to be formally charged to court.

The case was slated for its first major hearing at Bauchi High Court 12 on Thursday

 The atmosphere at the court complex was thick with emotion as the families of both the victim and the suspect arrived in large numbers, seeking answers.

However, formal legal arguments could not proceed as scheduled as the presiding judge, Aliyu Bin Idris, was indisposed, forcing an unexpected adjournment.

Despite the temporary courtroom delay, legal steps were taken to ensure the suspect remains secure. 

The court ordered that Muhammad Mustapha Makama be remanded at the local Correctional Centre.

He will remain in custody until judicial authorities fix a new, definitive date for the trial to begin.