The dead body of Maryam Salisu of the Babale community, Jos North Local Government area of Plateau State has been found on the outskirts of the village. The 14-year-old was said to have been attacked while fetching wood to be used for cooking in a nearby bush.
The relatives of the deceased told journalists that the sudden disappearance of Mariyam on Thursday prompted the family to raise alarm and a search party was organised by the community members which led to the discovery of her mutilated corpse in the trench on Friday, with her eyes, breasts, tooth, and tongue removed.
The mother of the deceased, Fatima Danliti was in tears as she narrated her last encounter with her daughter, adding, “it is painful but there is nothing I can do. It is left for the person that committed the crime and Allah,”
Aisha Sani, one of the girls who witnessed the incident, said “We were together when the man suddenly hit Maryam on her head. We started begging him to leave her alone because we couldn’t understand what she did to deserve being hit.”
According to Sani Babale, a resident and former councilor of the area, the deceased, alongside 12 other girls went to a nearby bush to fetch firewood when Maryam was attacked, while the rest ran for safety.
The Plateau State police spokesman, DSP Alabo Alfred, could not be reached for comments as calls and text messages sent to his phone were not responded to at the time of going to press.
