The Bauchi State Police Command has rescued a four-year-old boy and arrested two suspected kidnappers following an intelligence-driven operation carried out in Bauchi metropolis.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, made the disclosure in a statement released on Friday.
According to Habib, operatives attached to the State Intelligence Department traced and apprehended the suspects after a report was lodged by the father of the abducted child.
The statement indicated that the complainant, a 45-year-old resident of Gida Dudu Housing Estate in Bauchi, informed police authorities that his four-year-old son, Musa (surname withheld), had been kidnapped.
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.
Investigators further discovered that the first suspect allegedly misled the second suspect regarding the identity of the child in an attempt to conceal the abduction.
“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.
Police also revealed that a ransom demand was later made to the victim’s family through a handwritten note.
“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.
Following the complaint, detectives launched an immediate operation that led to the successful rescue of the child and the arrest of the suspects.
“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 police spokesman disclosed that both suspects are currently being held while investigations continue.
“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, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, praised the detectives for their swift response and professionalism in handling the case.
He noted that the commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, warning that individuals involved in kidnapping and related crimes would face the full weight of the law.
The police commissioner further urged parents and guardians to educate children about the dangers of trusting strangers, remain security conscious, and promptly report suspicious activities involving minors to law enforcement authorities.
Meanwhile, in a separate development earlier this year, the Edo State Police Command arrested three suspected kidnappers in Jattu, Edo North, following intelligence-led operations linked to a recent abduction incident in the area.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, said the suspects were apprehended after credible intelligence was received and acted upon by police operatives working alongside the Edo State Security Corps.
