Ifeoluwa Oladimeji
The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old woman, Saadiya Sahabi, for allegedly kidnapping her three-year-old niece and asking for a N10 million ransom to free the child.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, disclosed this in a statement released on Friday.
The suspect, who is the younger sister of the victim’s father, was arrested on November 10 at Bela District in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while the child, Nabila Abdulganiyu, was rescued alive.
According to the statement, the victim’s father, Abdulganiyu Sahabi, reported the kidnap to detectives at the State Intelligence Department on October 30, two days after she was allegedly taken away.
The police said the father told investigators that he received a phone call from a hidden number on October 29, during which the caller said he had his daughter in his custody and demanded N10 million for her release.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, A.M. Bello, directed the State Intelligence Department to start an investigation and ensure that the child was rescued safely.
The statement said, “After days of sustained intelligence gathering, technical analysis and working together with strategic partners, the operatives successfully traced and arrested the suspect on 10th November 2026 at Bela District, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The victim was also rescued safely.”
The police described the suspect as the victim’s paternal aunt, adding that she and the child’s father share the same biological father but have different mothers.
It further stated that “during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to her involvement in the crime.”
The Command said investigation is still ongoing to establish the full details surrounding the incident and to identify other people who might have taken part in the alleged kidnap.
On the child’s return, the police said, “The rescued child was taken for medical examination and, after necessary assessment, was formally reunited with her parents on 12th November 2026.”
The Commissioner of Police commended the State Intelligence Department operatives for their work, saying their “professionalism, dedication and effective application of intelligence-led policing” led to the successful rescue.
He restated the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, especially vulnerable members of society, and ensuring that anyone found guilty of kidnapping and other criminal activities is brought to justice.
The police urged members of the public to “remain vigilant, strengthen cooperation with security agencies and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.”
