The Borno State Police Command has arrested a couple following the circulation of a disturbing video showing the physical abuse of a minor in Pompomari area of Maiduguri.
A video of Mr Shettima flogging the minor after she came into his compound to pluck some mangoes from a tree, made the rounds on social media on Friday, March 21. The video was widely condemned with many calling for the arrest of the couple.
Confirming their arrest in a statement, the spokesperson of the command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, said;
“On 19th March 2025, an 11-year-old girl, Hauwa Mohammed Goni, a Primary 5 pupil of Bolori Primary School, Federal Low Cost, entered the residence of one Mr. Muhammad Shetima 33yrs, in Pompomari to pluck mangoes.
In response, Mr. Shetima and his wife, Mrs. Aishatu Abubakar 23yrs, accosted the child and subjected her to severe flogging. During the assault, Mrs. Aishatu Abubakar recorded the incident and shared the video on social media.
Concerned citizens and civil society organisations, including a petition filed by Potential Attorneys, swiftly raised the alarm, leading to the couple’s arrest. They were apprehended with the assistance of concerned citizens and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Borno State Command.”
Daso said the victim has since been taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for medical attention and that she was responding to treatment.
He added that the suspects are currently at the Gender Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Maiduguri, as investigations were ongoing before prosecution.
ASP Daso further said that the Command assured the public that the case will be thoroughly investigated, and that the suspects will be prosecuted under relevant sections of the Child Protection Law and the Borno State Penal Code Law.
“For accountability and transparency, the Command will continue to provide updates on the progress of the case,” he added.