The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers and rescued a four-year-old boy following a swift intelligence-led operation in Bauchi.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

Habib said detectives from the State Intelligence Department successfully tracked and apprehended the suspects after receiving a kidnapping complaint from the victim’s father.

According to the statement, the father, a 45-year-old resident of Gida Dudu Housing Estate in Bauchi, reported that his four-year-old son, Musa (surname withheld), had been abducted.

Habib said, “On 10th June, 2026, the Command acted on a formal complaint of kidnapping lodged by a 45-year-old father, a resident of Gida Dudu Housing Estate, Bauchi. The complainant reported that his son, Musa (surname withheld), a four-year-old boy, was abducted from the frontage of their residence.”

He explained that preliminary investigations revealed that one of the suspects, identified as Muhammad Usman, 39, allegedly lured the child away from his home on June 9 and subsequently took him to the residence of the second suspect, Hayatudeen Ahmad, 40, who resides in the same estate.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that on 9th June 2026, the first suspect, Muhammad Usman, 39-year-old, lured the minor from his home at Gida Dudu Housing Estate. He thereafter took the child to the residence of the second suspect, 40-year-old Hayatudeen Ahmad, both of the same housing estate,” the police spokesman stated.

According to Habib, the first suspect allegedly deceived the second suspect by claiming that the boy was his sister’s son and that the child’s mother was critically ill.

“To conceal his crime, Muhammad Usman deceived Hayatudeen Ahmad, claiming the boy was his sister’s son and that she was critically ill. He further claimed it was too late to travel to Kano that night and pleaded with the second suspect to keep the child overnight, promising to take him to their family in Kano the following day,” he said.

The police further disclosed that the suspect later wrote a ransom note demanding N5 million from the victim’s family.

“Subsequently, the first suspect wrote a ransom note and dropped it at the complainant’s frontage, demanding the sum of N5,000,000 and providing a phone number for payment,” Habib added.

He noted that detectives immediately launched an operation after receiving the complaint, leading them to the house of the second suspect where the child was found alive and unharmed.

“Upon receiving the complaint, the detectives swung into action, tracked the suspects, and proceeded to the house of the second suspect where the victim was found alive and in good health. The child has since been reunited with his family,” he stated.

The spokesman said both suspects remained in police custody and were cooperating with investigators.

“Both suspects are currently in police custody and are cooperating with investigators. Discreet investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the incident is ongoing, after which the duo will be charged to court,” he said.

Habib also revealed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the detectives for their professionalism and prompt response.

He said the commissioner reassured residents that the command remained committed to safeguarding lives and property and warned that perpetrators of kidnapping and other crimes would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

The police commissioner also advised parents and guardians to educate their children against trusting strangers, remain vigilant, and promptly report suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station.

In May, the Edo State Police Command arrested three suspected kidnappers in Jattu, Edo North, following intelligence-led operations linked to a recent abduction case in the area.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the arrest followed credible information and coordinated action by police operatives and the Edo State Security Corps. (Punch News)

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