One arrested for gruesome murder of 5-year-old boy in Mangochi

* Suspect Botomani Martin admitted to committing the crime alongside five accomplices who remain at large

* He further claimed that they were hired by a man from Mozambique who allegedly seeks to become a traditional chief and intended to use the boy for ritual purposes

Maravi Express

Police in Namwera, Mangochi District, have arrested 19-year-old Botomani Martin in connection with the brutal and gruesome murder of 5-year-old Brian Alabi from Mkwesa Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Bwananyambi.

A report by Mangochi Police Station’s public relations officer, lnspector Amina Tepani Daudi, indicates that Martin was apprehended last evening, June 10, at Chiponde area with the help from members of the community. He who had been on the run for several days and was attempting to flee to Mozambique.

“Brian’s body was discovered on June 5, 2025, a day after he was reported missing,” says Daudi in her report. “Villagers noticed a dog barking while digging in a nearby garden and, upon closer inspection, saw human fingers protruding from the soil.

“Police, accompanied by a clinical officer from Chiponde Health Centre, responded to the scene and exhumed the body and a postmortem examination revealed that Brian died of strangulation caused by a twisted neck and head injuries.

“The body also showed signs of severe trauma, including punctured eyes and bleeding from the nose and mouth, prompting an immediate investigation.”

Daudi further reports that the suspect, Martin, in his preliminary confession, “admitted to committing the crime alongside five accomplices who remain at large — and further claimed that they were hired by a man from Mozambique who allegedly seeks to become a traditional chief and intended to use the boy for ritual purposes”.

“Police investigations also revealed that Martin is a habitual offender in Mkwesa Village he hails from — although previous offences were not officially reported as they were resolved at community level severally.

“He has since been charged with murder, which contravenes Section 209 of the Penal Code, and will appear before court upon completion of investigations. Meanwhile, police are actively hunting for the remaining suspects.

“Mangochi Police have extended their gratitude to the public for their continued support and cooperation in the fight against crime,” said Daudi, whose station had  appealed to community members to provide information that may lead to the arrest of assailants of the little child to assist in the investigations.

On the previous day of the discovery of the horrific incident, little Brian was reported to have left home to play with his age-group friends while his mother, Latifa Bilutoni, 23, and some neighbours went to tend to their vegetable gardens.

Upon returning home, Bilutoni did not find her son, prompting her to inform her uncle and the village headman, who organised a search with the help of community members, whose efforts proved futile.

Daudi reported that the search resumed the following morning and that when some villagers discovered the dog barking trying to dig out the dead body that was buried in the garden, which was later confirmed to be that of Brian.