The Sokoto State Police Command has dealt a major blow to criminal networks operating across the state, following two successful intelligence-led operations that led to the arrest of two suspects, including a notorious kidnapper, and the safe rescue of a 10-year-old boy.
In the first operation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, raided a criminal hideout in Tudun Doki village, Gwadabawa Local Government Area, on August 8, 2026, at about 1400hrs.
The raid led to the arrest of one Abdullahi Buba, alias “Osho”.
During preliminary interrogation, Buba confessed to being a key member of a notorious syndicate responsible for a series of kidnappings and the illegal imposition of levies on innocent communities across Gwadabawa, Kware and Gada Local Government Areas.
The suspect is currently providing actionable intelligence to assist the police in tracking and arresting other fleeing gang members, as efforts intensify to completely dismantle the criminal network.
In a separate development, on August 11, 2026, one Sani Ibrahim of Gidan Madi town, Tangaza LGA, reported at the Gidan Madi Police Station that his 10-year-old nephew, Muhammad Sufiyanu, had been missing since that afternoon.
Surveillance detectives from the Gidan Madi Division, accompanied by the complainant, intercepted two suspicious persons on a motorcycle carrying a concealed sack.
When challenged, the suspects fled at high speed. After a determined pursuit, they abandoned the sack, which upon search was found to contain the kidnapped boy, alive and responsive.
The victim was immediately rushed to the Gidan Madi General Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
He later narrated that one of the suspects lured him into a room, administered a sedative via injection and forced him into the sack.
One suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident and has confessed to the crime.
Crime scene investigators have visited the scene and investigations are ongoing.
The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, psc, mnips, commended the officers involved in the operations and reassured members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
He encouraged citizens to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to aid the ongoing fight against crime.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, adding that further updates will be communicated as investigations progress.
