A resident of Bayan Dutse, Wailo in Ganjuwa local government area of Bauchi State, Auwalu Muhammad, has connived with five other persons to remove the eyes of his seven-year-old sister, Rukayya Muhammad, for money-making rituals.
LEADERSHIP learnt that Muhammad led Rukayya to a bush in Wailo, where he removed her eyes. The victim was rushed to Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, where she is responding to treatment.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for Bauchi State Police Command, CSP Ahmed Wakil, said Mohammed had earlier attacked his sister with the intention of killing her and attempted to pluck out her eyes.
He identified the suspects arrested with him as Auwal Mohammed, Mohammed Rabiu, Saleh Ibrahim, Nasiru Muhammad, Hassan Garba and Garba Dahiru.
Wakil said, “A preliminary investigation revealed that a seven-year-old girl, Rukayya Muhammad, tragically lost her eyesight permanently after her elder brother, Auwalu Muhammad, removed both of her eyes for a money ritual in a desperate attempt to gain wealth.
“The victim’s father was interviewed, who disclosed that the suspect, Auwalu, lured his sister into the bush, where he brutally attacked her and plucked her eyes.
“Unfortunately, a medical doctor (eye specialist) at the hospital confirmed that the young girl will never regain her vision for the rest of her life,” he said.
Wakil added that during interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to the crime.
He said investigation was ongoing to uncover the motive behind their heinous act and to bring all individuals connected to justice.