A 64-year-old man, Abubakar Aliyu, has confessed to sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl at his medicine shop in Arawa Quarters, Gombe. Aliyu, a grandfather with several grandchildren, was arrested following a report by the child’s mother.
Suspect Admits to Three Incidents
Aliyu admitted to the act during questioning by security operatives on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. He was paraded by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Public Relations Officer, CSC Saad Buhari. The suspect said the minor came to his shop at night to buy drugs and that the incident occurred on three occasions.
“She came to buy medicine around 11pm. I told her it was late and that she should go home, but she refused,” he said. “I lured her. When she got home, her mother asked her where she was coming from and she mentioned my shop.”
Payments of N200 and N400
Aliyu said the girl was the only child involved. “We had sex three times and she was the only girl. I gave her N200, other times N400,” he stated.
When asked about his motive, Aliyu said: “Even my wife asked me to leave the girl but I refused. As one grows older, the attraction changes. It was temptation. I am not doing it for ritual. I sincerely regret my actions. I have spoiled my name in my area and I am relocating because if I remain there I will have problems with the people.”
Community Relations Strained
Family members said the case had strained relations in the community. According to his children, who asked not to be named, residents had distanced themselves from the suspect. “We are not on good terms with our neighbours. We don’t even want our children near him because of what was alleged,” one of the children said.
The NSCDC PRO said the matter would be charged to court in Gombe after a full investigation, adding that the offences were contrary to the Gombe State Penal Code Law and the Child Protection Law.
