Oluwanifemi Ibikunle
The Sokoto State Police Command has rescued a 10-year-old boy, Muhammad Sufiyanu, who was allegedly abducted and concealed inside a sack by suspected kidnappers in Tangaza Local Government Area of the state.
The rescue, which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, followed a swift response by detectives attached to the Gidan Madi Police Division after the boy was reported missing.
The command also announced the arrest of a suspected notorious kidnapper, Abdullahi Buba, popularly known as “Osho,” in a separate intelligence-led operation in Gwadabawa Local Government Area.
According to the police, the two operations formed part of intensified efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks and other criminal groups operating across the state.
The police said the 10-year-old boy disappeared from Gidan Madi Town on Monday afternoon.
His uncle, Sani Ibrahim, reportedly lodged a complaint at the Gidan Madi Police Station at about 8pm, prompting detectives to launch a search for the missing child.
The command said surveillance detectives, accompanied by the complainant, commenced a search of the area.
At about 11pm, the team reportedly intercepted two persons travelling on a motorcycle and carrying a suspiciously concealed sack.
The suspects allegedly abandoned the motorcycle and fled when they were challenged by the detectives.
The officers reportedly gave chase, but the suspects escaped, leaving the sack behind.
On opening the abandoned sack, the detectives were said to have discovered the missing boy alive.
The child was immediately rescued and taken to Gidan Madi General Hospital for medical attention. He was later discharged after treatment.
The police said preliminary investigation indicated that the child was allegedly lured into a room by one of the suspects before being drugged and forced into the sack.
One of the suspects has reportedly been arrested and is assisting the police with the investigation.
Crime Scene Investigators have also visited locations connected with the incident as detectives work to identify and arrest other persons allegedly involved in the attempted abduction.
In another operation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit reportedly raided a suspected criminal hideout at Tudun Doki Village in Gwadabawa LGA at about 2pm on August 8.
The operation led to the arrest of Abdullahi Buba, also known as “Osho.”
The command alleged that preliminary interrogation linked Buba to a criminal syndicate responsible for a series of kidnapping operations and the imposition of illegal levies on residents in Gwadabawa, Kware and Gada local government areas.
The police said the suspect was providing investigators with information that could assist in tracking down other members of the alleged syndicate.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal network.
The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commended the officers involved in both operations.
Shaffa urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with timely and credible information about suspicious activities.
He assured residents that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing strategies to protect lives and property.
The commissioner also warned criminal elements operating in the state that the police would continue to pursue them and bring those arrested before the law.
The police said investigations into the two incidents were ongoing and further updates would be provided as developments emerge.
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