The Nigerian Police Force has apprehended members of a family for torturing a 13-year-old girl with hot water and pepper, following allegations of theft.

David Iloyanomon, the state commissioner of police, announced this to journalists at the police headquarters in Jalingo, the capital of Taraba State.

He stated that on July 1, 2024, the state command received a report from the Yorro Division that Bulus Bitonopa had tortured Bridget Samuel, resulting in temporary paralysis of her hands. Additionally, Hon. Cleopas took the victim to his house in Jalingo in an attempt to hide the crime, failed to take her to the hospital, and resisted police intervention.

A visit to the Federal Medical Centre in Jalingo revealed that the girl may permanently lose the use of her hands due to the torture.


Bridget Samuel recounted that two of her uncles tied her hands with black rubber, submerged them in a bowl of hot water, and added pepper and sand.

She was falsely accused of stealing ₦5000 from her uncle’s wife's purse.

She narrated, "They tied me up around 3:00 PM until about 11:00 AM the following day when another uncle intervened, untied me, and took me to a nearby clinic for medical attention."

In a related development, the police in the state have arrested at least 38 individuals suspected of kidnapping, armed robbery, and illegal possession of firearms.