The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested an 18-year-old boy for allegedly kidnapping his neighbor’s two-year-old son and demanding a ransom of N2 million for the child’s release.
The suspect, identified as Aliyu, was apprehended after a coordinated police operation.In a statement on Saturday, Ahmed Rufai, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed that the victim, Saidu Ibrahim, was rescued by police operatives after being held hostage by the suspect. The boy’s father, Ibrahim Shehu, had reported his son missing on October 13.According to the statement, despite extensive efforts by the family to locate the boy, his whereabouts remained unknown until the suspect called to demand a ransom. “On October 16, at about 1200 hours, Ibrahim Shehu reported to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit that his son, Saidu Ibrahim, had been missing since October 13, at 1800 hours,” Rufai said. “The abductor later demanded N2 million for his release via a phone call.”Shehu initially paid N500,000 to secure his son’s freedom. However, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit launched an intelligence-led operation to track the suspect’s location, leading to his arrest at Badon hanya behind Zamson Filling Station.“During the investigation, the suspect confessed to kidnapping the child with the intention of extorting money from the family,” Rufai added. A Tecno Android mobile phone used to make the ransom demand was recovered from the suspect.Ahmed Musa, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, praised the officers for their swift action in rescuing the child and apprehending the perpetrator. He reiterated the command’s commitment to fighting crime and urged parents to take proactive measures to safeguard their children.“Parents should educate their children about basic safety measures, such as identifying trusted adults, avoiding isolated areas, and never accepting rides or gifts from strangers,” Musa advised. He also encouraged parents to foster open communication with their children and report suspicious activities to the authorities.
