Police operatives in Zamfara State have arrested a 26-year-old woman, Saadiya Sahabi, for allegedly kidnapping her three-year-old niece and demanding ₦10 million from the child’s parents.
The suspect reportedly kept the little girl, identified as Nabila Abdulganiyu, in captivity for about two weeks before police rescued her.
The victim’s father, Abdulganiyu Sahabi, reported her daughter’s disappearance to the State Intelligence Department on October 30, 2026. He told detectives that the child had gone missing two days earlier after being abducted by an unknown person.
According to the police, the father received a call from a hidden number on October 29. The caller claimed to have his daughter and demanded ₦10 million for her release.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police in the state, A.M. Bello, directed detectives to investigate the incident and ensure the child’s safe recovery.
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Police spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, disclosed in a statement on Friday that intelligence gathering and technical investigations led operatives to the suspect.
She was arrested on November 10 at Bela District in Bungudu Local Government Area, while the kidnapped child was rescued unharmed.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that Saadiya was the younger sister of the victim’s father, making her the child’s paternal aunt.
The police said the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in the crime during interrogation.
The command stated that investigations were still ongoing to uncover the full circumstances of the incident and determine whether other individuals were involved.
The rescued girl was taken for medical examination before being reunited with her parents on November 12.
Commissioner Bello commended the officers involved, praising their intelligence-led operation and professionalism.
He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting residents, particularly children and other vulnerable persons, while ensuring that anyone found guilty of kidnapping faces justice.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
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