The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested two suspected ritualists, Ibrahim Abdul Malik (27) and Aliyu Abdul Malik (18), in connection with the murder of a 10-year-old Almajiri boy, named Abdalla Lawali in the Jada Local Government Area of the state.
The police announced the arrest of the ritualists in a statement released by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Suleiman Ngurojeon on Sunday.
According to reports, Abdalla, who was reported missing on March 7, 2025, was discovered days later following credible intelligence that led police to the suspects.
Authorities found the victim’s decomposed body hidden in a sack, with his severed head buried in a shallow grave at the suspects’ residence.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime, attributing their actions to external influences.
“The Adamawa State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its fight against violent crimes, as police operatives attached to divisional police headquarters, Jada, have arrested two suspects for the brutal murder of a 10-year-old boy in Jada Local Government Area.
“On 16th March 2025, following credible information, police operatives arrested one Ibrahim Abdul Malik (27 years old), and Aliyu Abdul Malik (18 years old), both residents of Anguwan Sarkin Yamma, Jada, who were alleged to have killed and beheaded a 10-year-old Almajiri, identified as Abdalla Lawali, of Anguwar Dubai, Jada.
“The victim was reported missing on 7th March, 2025. Since then, search was ongoing to trace the missing child.
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“Upon receiving information on the suspects’ involvement. The Commissioner of Police, Dankombo Morris, deployed security to the scene, where the decomposed body of the deceased was recovered in a sack bag.
“The search warrant was further executed at the suspects’ residence, where the head was buried in a shallow grave within the house premises.
“During the investigation, the suspects confessed to committing the crime, regretted the action and blamed the devil.
“The commissioner of police condemned the barbaric behaviour, and directed the case to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.
“The police boss assures the general public that justice will be served and calls on parents. And guardians to be vigilant and report any suspicious movements around their neighbourhood to the police,” the police statement said.
The commissioner of police has condemned the heinous act, and assured the public of a thorough investigation, and prosecution by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
He urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant.