THE Sokoto State Police Command has apprehended 18-year-old Abba Aliyu for his alleged role in a kidnapping syndicate in the Badon Hanya area of the state.
In a statement released on Saturday, the spokesman of the state police command, Ahmed Rufai, an assistant superintendent of police, revealed that on October 16, 2024, at around 12:00 p.m., one Ibrahim Shehu reported to the anti-kidnapping unit of the criminal investigation department that his two-year-old son, Saidu Ibrahim, had been missing since October 13, 2024.
The suspect is the complainant’s neighbour.
“Despite efforts to locate him, his whereabouts remained unknown until the abductor demanded N2 million for his release via phone call after which the sum of five hundred thousand naira was paid before the victim regained freedom.
Detectives swiftly coordinated intelligence-led operations, tracing the location of the suspect at Badon Hanya behind Zamson filling station which led to his arrest,” the statement read in part.
During the investigation, the police reported that the suspect admitted to kidnapping the victim and holding him hostage in an attempt to extort money from the child’s parents.
They also stated that an Android phone, used to demand the ransom, was recovered from the suspect.
The police also noted that the state commissioner of police, Ahmed Musa, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to fighting crime and commended the efforts of the officers in securing the suspect’s arrest.
He further advised parents to protect their children from criminals, emphasising the importance of teaching basic safety measures.
“Teach them to identify trusted adults and report suspicious activities. Avoid walking alone as well as encourage the children to use the buddy system. Others include staying in well-lit areas, avoiding isolated or dark areas, never accepting gifts or rides from strangers, warning them about potential lures, reporting suspicious activities or individuals, and encouraging open communication with them,” he said.
Fatimah Quadri is a Journalist and a Fact-checker at The ICIR. She has written news articles, fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy in an effort to combat information disorder.
She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org