The police in Kano have arrested a 25-year-old woman, Rahma Sulaiman, for allegedly kidnapping her six-year-old daughter for Ransom.
The state commissioner of police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, who oversaw the parading of Rahma and other crime suspects at the police headquarters, Bompai, Kano, told newsmen that the incident took place at Madobi Local Government Area.
He said that on May 8, 2023, one Kabiru Shehu of Sharada Quarters, Kano Municipal LGA, informed the police that his divorced wife, Rahma, had told him that his daughter named Hafsat Kabiru (also Rahma’s biological child), was missing, claiming that unknown persons had called her on phone demanding the sum of N3 million as ransom.
In a follow-up investigation, the young child was rescued in Madobi LGA, Mr Gumel revealed.
He said Rahma was arrested and confessed, not only to have planned her own child’s abduction, but also responsible for taking the six-year-old to a hideout, where she demanded the ransom. “Investigation is in progress,” CP Gumel said.
Similarly, in Dala local government of the state, On April 4, 2023, the police received a report from a resident of Kofar Ruwa Quarters that his son, Almustapha Bashir, six years, had been kidnapped and a ransom of N20 Million was demanded, after which an agreement was reached for N5,150,000.00.
CP Gumel said the follow-up investigation led to the rescue of the victim unhurt as well as the arrest of the following suspects: (i) Zainab Rabi’u, ‘f’, 45 years old of Gwammaja Quarters, the mastermind and aunt to the victim.
(II) Abdurrashid Sa’idu, ‘m’, 27 years (iii) Hassan Abdullahi, ‘m’, 24 years old and (iv) Ahmed Saleh, ‘m’, 25 years old; all of Sheka Quarters, Kano.
All the suspects confessed to the crime and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation, he said.
He also announced the arrest of a gang of suspected Kidnappers in Rano local government Area, adding that arms and ammunition were recovered from them.
CP Gumel who assumed office nine days ago, stressed that his leadership was committed to the protection of lives and property of the general populace.
“In our roadmap to achieve a peaceful Kano State, we commenced robust Community Policing engagements, incorporating intelligence-led and visibility policing and application of technology in tackling crimes, building synergy with sister security agencies, implementing Community Policing strategies with the stakeholders, identifying root causes of crimes, especially use of illicit drugs, massive public enlightenment and sensitization,” he explained.
Reporting by Abdullahi Jalaluddeen; Editing by Daniel Adejo and Tony Okerafor