The Sokoto State Police Command has successfully apprehended an 18-year-old suspect, Abba Aliyu, for the kidnapping of his neighbour’s two-year-old son.
Aliyu, a resident of the Badon Hanya area in Sokoto, was arrested following a swift operation conducted by the police’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
In a statement released on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Ahmed Rufai, revealed that the incident occurred on October 13, 2024, when Ibrahim Shehu reported his son’s disappearance.
The boy, Saidu Ibrahim, had gone missing around 6:00 PM, and despite efforts to locate him, his whereabouts remained unknown for several days.
The family later received a ransom demand of ₦2 million from the kidnapper via phone call. Eventually, the family paid ₦500,000, leading to the boy’s release.
Based on intelligence-led operations, detectives were able to trace the suspect’s location to Badon Hanya, near the Zamson filling station, where Aliyu was arrested.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime, admitting that he kidnapped the child to extort money from the family. The police also recovered the Tecno Android mobile phone used to communicate the ransom demands.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Musa, commended the detectives for their prompt action in apprehending the suspect and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling crime in the state.
He also shared vital safety tips for parents to protect their children from criminal elements.
“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,” CP Musa advised.
The Sokoto Police Command remains dedicated to ensuring the safety of all citizens and urges the public to remain vigilant while reporting any suspicious activities to law enforcement authorities.