Katsina TIMES  – June 11, 2025

The Katsina State Police Command has dismantled a kidnapping syndicate and rescued a four-year-old girl who was abducted for ransom. Four suspects, including the victim’s elder sister, have been arrested in connection with the crime.

According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the case was reported on June 20, 2025, by one Alhaji Badamasi Bala of Madaci Yan Nono quarters, Katsina. He informed the police that his two daughters, aged 14 and 4, had been kidnapped, and the abductors demanded a ransom of ₦50 million for their release.

Acting swiftly on the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Shehu, ordered the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit to launch an investigation. After nearly four months, the 14-year-old daughter returned home. During interrogation, she confessed to staging her own abduction and conspiring with three others to kidnap her younger sister.

The police swiftly arrested the remaining suspects, aged 25, 19, and 16, and rescued the 4-year-old victim unhurt. One round of 7.62mm live ammunition, suspected to be for an AK-47 rifle, was recovered from the suspects.

All the arrested individuals have confessed to the crime, and investigations are ongoing to uncover more details.

Commending the operatives for their dedication, CP Bello Shehu urged members of the public to continue supporting the police by reporting suspicious activities to help curb crime in the state.

For further updates, the public is advised to stay connected to official police communication channels.