The Sokoto State Police Command has apprehended an 18-year-old, Abba Aliyu, for the alleged abduction of his neighbour’s 2-year-old son in the Badon Hanya area of Sokoto.
The arrest marks a significant success in the command’s ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping syndicates in the region.
According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, ASP Ahmad Rufai, the police received a kidnapping report, which was forwarded to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department. The swift and coordinated intelligence-led operation led to the arrest of the prime suspect, Aliyu.
Rufai detailed that after abducting the child, the suspect contacted the parents and demanded a N2 million ransom. In a state of panic, the victim’s parents managed to pay N500,000, after which the child was released.
“Detectives swiftly coordinated intelligence-led operations, tracing the suspect’s location at Badon Hanya behind Zamson Filling Station, which led to his arrest,” Rufai said. “During the investigation, the suspect confessed to the crime, revealing that he had kidnapped the child to extort money from the parents. A Tecno Android phone used to demand the ransom was also recovered.”
The police spokesman further stated that Aliyu would be charged in court as soon as the investigation is concluded. The Sokoto Police Command has reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on kidnapping and other forms of criminal activity in the state, urging citizens to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety.
