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The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 70-year-old man, Usman Abubakar, over the alleged defilement of an eight-year-old girl in the Tsakanin Bayara area of Bauchi metropolis.

According to a statement issued by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police (SP) Nafiu Habib, the suspect was arrested following a complaint lodged at the ‘E’ Division, Yelwa, by the victim’s 48-year-old father on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

According to the police, the father alleged that the suspect, who resides in the same area, lured his daughter to an uncompleted building on Sunday, August 24, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her.

The Command said its operatives immediately commenced action after receiving the report and arrested the suspect.

The police further stated that the suspect allegedly confessed to the offence during interrogation.

Following the incident, the victim was taken to the Police Clinic for medical examination and necessary care.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the alleged offence and assured members of the public that the matter would be thoroughly investigated.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Bauchi, for discreet investigation and prosecution, according to the Command.

The police reiterated their zero tolerance for sexual violence and child abuse, while urging parents, guardians and members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

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Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed sympathy with traders and business owners affected by the fire that gutted Eda Plaza in Jabi, Abuja, on Sunday.

Obi, in a statement posted on his X handle on Sunday, said the incident highlighted the need to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency-response systems, particularly the capacity of fire services.

A fire outbreak destroyed shops and goods reportedly worth millions of naira at the plaza, a building materials market opposite Chida Hotel in Jabi.

An eyewitness told the Nigerian Television Authority that the alarm was raised around 3am after a trader received a distress call about the fire.

The eyewitness said the fire destroyed one of his brother-in-law’s two shops and a packing store, with roofing materials worth more than N20m reportedly lost in the blaze.

There were no reported casualties.

Reacting to the incident, Obi said his “heart goes out to the traders, artisans, workers, families and business owners whose goods, investments and livelihoods may have been affected by this unfortunate incident.”

He noted that the losses suffered by the traders represented more than merchandise, noting that they included years of savings, borrowing and sacrifice.

“As a country, we cannot continue to lose businesses and livelihoods repeatedly to preventable disasters. Each time this happens, we gradually lose our productive capacity,” he said.

The former Anambra State governor said small businesses were “the backbone of our economy” and that losses suffered by traders could affect their families, workers and communities.

Obi urged authorities to strengthen emergency-response systems, particularly by ensuring that fire services were properly equipped and adequately staffed.

“As we grieve what has happened at Jabi Market, let us not wait for another market to burn before we act. Let this tragedy become a reason to strengthen our emergency-response systems, especially by ensuring that our fire service is properly equipped, adequately staffed and capable of responding swiftly to emergencies.”

“We must protect our small businesses and ensure that Abuja, and indeed Nigeria, becomes a safer place to live, work and invest,” he added.

Obi also prayed for those affected by the incident and emergency responders.

“May God comfort every person affected by this disaster, restore the livelihoods that have been lost, and grant our emergency responders the strength and wisdom required at this difficult moment,” he said.

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Many filling stations across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have jerked up the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol.

The development came in spite of a decline in international crude oil prices from 92 dollars barrel to 87.31 dollars per barrel.

Brent crude stood at 88.10 dollars per barrel, down 0.47 per cent, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) fell 0.16 per cent to 83.40 dollars per barrel.

Dangote Refinery increased its gantry price (ex-depot price) from N1,165 per litre to N1,185, and subsequently to N1,200 and N1,265 within the last one week.

The latest adjustment represents a N65 per litre increase from the previous gantry price of N1,200.

The increase has been reflected in pump prices across the FCT.

Checks by NAN on Sunday in Abuja showed that several filling stations had adjusted their petrol prices upward, with motorists paying more for the product.

NAN observed that AY Shafa increased its pump price from N1,250 to N1,270 per litre, while Optima retail outlet raised its price from N1,260 to N1,300 per litre.

Also, NNPC adjusted its price from N1,250 to N1,270 per litre.

An economist, Samson Ogunjimi, expressed concern over the growing financial pressure on livelihoods caused by soaring fuel prices.

He said the situation was unbearable and many people were struggling to cope with the ripple effects on their livelihoods.

Ogunjimi called on the Federal Government to urgently intervene by stabilising fuel prices to ease the economic burden on Nigerians.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, said marketers reviewed their pump prices following a series of adjustments by Dangote refinery.

Ukadike said marketers could not continue to sell petrol below the replacement cost.

He said the frequent price changes were creating uncertainty for both marketers and consumers, as the cost of replacing products could change significantly within a short period.(NAN)