The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old woman, Saadiya Sahabi, for allegedly abducting her three-year-old niece and demanding a N10m ransom for the child’s release.

The police disclosed this in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, and issued on Friday.

The suspect, who is the younger sister of the victim’s father, was arrested on November 10 at Bela District, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State, while the child, Nabila Abdulganiyu, was rescued.

According to the statement, the victim’s father, Abdulganiyu Sahabi, reported her abduction to detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department on October 30, two days after she was allegedly taken.

The police said the father told investigators that he received a telephone call from a concealed number on October 29, during which the caller claimed to have his daughter in custody and demanded N10m for her release.

Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, A.M. Bello, directed the State Intelligence Department to begin an investigation and ensure the child’s safe rescue.

The statement said, “Following days of sustained intelligence gathering, technical analysis and collaboration 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 identified the suspect as the victim’s paternal aunt, adding that she and the child’s father shared the same biological father but had different mothers.

It further stated that “during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to her involvement in the crime.”

The command said investigation was ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify other people who might have participated in the alleged abduction.

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 reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, particularly vulnerable members of society, and ensuring that anyone found culpable of kidnapping and other criminal activities was 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.” (The PUNCH)

•Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar