Police In Kano Rescue 9-Year-Old Kidnap Victim, Arrest 10

The Kano State Police Command has rescued a nine-year-old boy, Ubaiyu Muhammad Sammani, who was abducted in Kano, and arrested 10 suspects in connection with the crime.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, saying the victim was rescued unhurt following intelligence-led operations by the anti-kidnapping unit.

According to the statement, the victim, a resident of Rimin Kebbe Quarters in Kano, was kidnapped on July 6, while the incident was reported to the police on July 9 after the abductors demanded a ransom of $30,000 from his family.

Kiyawa said operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit, acting on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, immediately launched an investigation using technical support, sustained surveillance and credible community intelligence.

He said the operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects, comprising nine men and one woman, who allegedly played different roles in the abduction.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects participated in the crime in various capacities, including unlawful trespass, keeping the kidnapped victim, communicating ransom demands and facilitating the movement of the victim to different locations,” the statement said.

The police identified one Abubakar Salihu, popularly known as “Sankolo,” aged 25, of Rimin Kebbe Quarters, as the alleged mastermind of the kidnapping.

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He remains at large, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend him.

The statement added that the victim was rescued at about 8:30 a.m. on Friday at Karshen Kwata, Rimin Kebbe, behind the residence of the fleeing principal suspect in Inusawa, Ungogo Local Government Area.

The boy was immediately taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital for medical examination and was confirmed to be unharmed.

The police said all arrested suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Commissioner of Police Bakori commended the anti-kidnapping unit for its professionalism and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes through proactive policing and collaboration with members of the public.

He also urged residents to continue providing timely and useful information to the police, assuring that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.