The Niger State Police Command has clarified the circumstances surrounding the death of 11-year-old Christabel Albert in Suleja, dismissing misleading narratives circulating on social media.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement on October 2, 2026, said the girl was reported missing at ‘A’ Division, Suleja on September 20, 2026 at about 12:30 p.m., after she left home on September 19 to attend a relative’s birthday celebration and did not return.
He said later that evening, a Pastor of the Apostolic Church, Suleja, reported the discovery of a body inside a well within the church premises. Police operatives visited the scene and with assistance of Local Government welfare officials recovered the body and took it to General Hospital, Suleja, where she was identified as the missing girl.
Abiodun said operatives identified one Godwin Dauda, 26, a security guard attached to the church, as a person of interest after he disappeared from the premises shortly after the incident.
The suspect was arrested on September 23 at about 8 p.m. in Kuje area of the Federal Capital Territory where he had fled.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to luring the deceased to his security room on 19th September 2026, where he reportedly assaulted her sexually, suffocating her by blocking her mouth and nose resulting in her death. He further disclosed that he disposed of the body in the well in an attempt to conceal the incident before fleeing the area,” the PPRO said.
He said investigation is ongoing to establish full circumstances, adding that the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Minna for further interrogation and prosecution.
The Command urged the public to disregard unverified information and refrain from circulating misleading narratives, reaffirming commitment to transparency and justice.
