Tragedy struck in Maiduguri, Borno State, when three children were found dead inside a car belonging to the father of two of the victims.
The discovery was made late Thursday night in Zannari, a residential area of the state capital.
The children, identified as three-year-old Anwar, two-year-old Fatima, and their neighbour’s son, were last seen on Tuesday when they were reportedly lured away by an unidentified woman who pretended to offer them alms. Their disappearance prompted a desperate search by their families, but hopes were dashed when their bodies were later discovered inside the vehicle.
The father of two of the victims, Babagana Zanna Jaridama, a known political commentator on social media, linked the incident to a recent online post in which he accused certain politicians of undermining Governor Babagana Zulum. He said the abduction and killing might have been carried out in retaliation.
The bodies of the children have been taken to a hospital for post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. The matter has been reported to the police, but attempts to reach the spokesperson of the Borno State Command for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
The shocking incident has thrown the community into mourning, with residents calling for a full investigation to ensure those behind the crime are brought to justice.