Sokoto State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers in separate operations and rescued a 10-year-old boy allegedly abducted in Tangaza Local Government Area.
One of the suspects, identified as Abdullahi Buba, also known as “Osho”, was arrested during a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Tudun Doki Village, Gwadabawa LGA, the police said.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said Buba was arrested on August 8 at about 2pm following credible intelligence. Preliminary investigations allegedly linked him to a kidnapping syndicate operating across parts of Sokoto State.
Police said Buba was allegedly involved in kidnapping operations and the collection of illegal levies from communities in Gwadabawa, Kware and Gada local government areas. Investigators are also using information obtained from him to track other suspected members of the syndicate who remain at large.
In a separate operation, police rescued 10-year-old Muhammad Sufiyanu after his uncle, Sani Ibrahim, reported him missing at Gidan Madi Police Station on August 11. Detectives from the division later intercepted two men on a motorcycle at about 11pm.
The suspects reportedly fled after officers challenged them, abandoning a concealed sack. Police said the officers opened the sack and discovered Sufiyanu alive inside. He was taken to Gidan Madi General Hospital for medical attention and was later discharged.
According to the police, the boy told investigators that one of the suspects allegedly lured him into a room, injected him with a sedative and forced him into the sack. One suspect has been arrested and reportedly confessed to the alleged crime, while crime scene investigators have visited the location as part of the investigation.
Commissioner of Police Hayatu Hassan Shaffa commended the officers involved in both operations and urged residents to continue providing security agencies with timely and credible information.
The command said investigations into the two incidents remain ongoing as efforts continue to identify and arrest other suspects linked to the alleged kidnapping activities.
