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

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

The victim, a resident of Rimin Kebbe Quarters in Kano, was rescued unharmed after what police described as sustained intelligence-led operations and community support.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the boy’s father reported the incident on July 9, informing the police that his son had been abducted three days earlier by unknown persons.

The statement said the kidnappers later demanded a ransom of 30,000 US dollars for the child’s release.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad immediately commenced investigation,” the statement said, adding that investigators leveraged “technical support, sustained follow up, and credible information from the community” to track down those involved.

Police said the operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects comprising nine males and one female.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly participated in the crime in different capacities, including “unlawful trespass, keeping the kidnapped victim, communication of ransom demands, and facilitating the movement of the victim to different locations.”

The Command identified 25-year-old Abubakar Salihu, popularly known as “Sankolo,” of Rimin Kebbe Quarters, as the alleged mastermind behind the abduction.

“Further investigation identified one Abubakar Salihu, popularly known as ‘Sankolo’, as the principal suspect and mastermind. He is currently at large and efforts are being intensified to apprehend him,” the statement said.

Police disclosed that the victim was rescued on Friday, July 31, at about 8:30 a.m. during a tactical operation at Karshen Kwata, Rimin Kebbe, behind the residence of the fleeing suspect in Inusawa, Ungogo Local Government Area.

The statement noted that “the victim was found unhurt and was immediately taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano for medical check-up.”

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori commended officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for their efforts, describing their actions as a demonstration of dedication and professionalism.