A 20-year-old man, Safiyanu Dalhatu, has been arrested by the Bauchi State Police Command for allegedly killing his mother, Salama Abdullahi, by striking her with a pestle.
The State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that Dalhatu was apprehended and handed over to the police by members of the Peace and Security Committee in the Abujan Kwata area following a report from concerned neighbors.
“On February 24, 2025, Peace and Security Committee members in the Abujan Kwata area of Bauchi reported an incident to the ‘A’ Divisional Police Headquarters,” Wakil stated.
“At about 3 p.m., Safiyanu Dalhatu, a 20-year-old male resident of Abujan Kwata, allegedly assaulted his biological mother, Salama Abdullahi, a 40-year-old female of the same residence.
“Dalhatu is accused of attacking Salama Abdullahi with a heavy pestle, causing fractures to both of her hands as well as other bodily injuries.”
Initial police investigations suggest that a domestic dispute between Dalhatu and his mother led to the fatal assault. Upon receiving the report, Divisional Police Officer Abdullahi Muazu led a team of detectives to the scene and transported the victim to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi for urgent medical attention. However, she was later confirmed dead by a medical professional.
“The suspect has been apprehended, and the pestle used in the incident has been recovered and documented as evidence,” the PPRO added.
The Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, Auwal Muhammad, has since ordered a thorough investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the next course of action.
The tragic event has sparked concerns about domestic violence in the region, with residents calling for increased efforts to address family-related conflicts before they escalate into violence.
