Kano Police Contradict Self Over ‘Missing Spanish Boy’, Say Nigerian Teenager Now Reunited With Parents

The Kano State Police Command has reunited a teenage boy with his biological parents more than a decade after he allegedly went missing.

The Command said the development followed a successful investigation into the matter in Doguwa local government area of the State.

The breakthrough was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who said the development came after a follow-up probe into the case of a teenager earlier found wandering in Dadin Kowa village of Doguwa LGA.

According to the police, the boy had initially identified himself as a Spanish national named ‘Alex Ansol’, who lost contact with his family members somewhere in Kaduna State enroute Kano State from Abuja on arrival from Spain. The Command, however, said further investigations revealed a contrary fact about his true identity.

“Thorough investigation revealed that the teenager is Yusuf Sabiu, aged 16 years,” the statement said.

The command added that efforts to trace his family were eventually successful, leading to the identification of his parents as Saminu Yusuf, 44, from Lere local government area of Kaduna State, and Habiba Alhassan Adam, 35, from neighbourinf Plateau State.

The Police said the parents had been separated for over 13 years, a situation believed to have contributed to the prolonged absence of the child from his parents.

Yusuf Sabiu was subsequently handed over to his parents at the Doguwa Police Division by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), marking the end of his long separation from his parents.

The command commended journalists, media organisations, and social media users for amplifying the initial report, noting that their support was instrumental to achieving the outcome.

“The swift circulation of the information played a key role in tracing the family and achieving this positive outcome,” the statement added.

The police also urged parents and guardians to promptly report missing persons to the nearest station, stressing that early reporting significantly improves recovery chances. They further advised separated or divorced parents to maintain communication regarding their children’s welfare to prevent similar situations.