Police smash kidnapping ring in Sokoto, rescue abducted 10-year-old boy

Thursday, August 13, 2026 - The Sokoto State Police Command has smashed a kidnapping syndicate, arrested two notorious suspects and rescued a 10-year-old boy in separate operations. 

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, who disclosed this in a statement on 12th August, 2026 said the minor, Muhammad Sufiyanu, was abducted in Gidan Madi Town, Tangaza Local Government Area of the state. 

According to the statement, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Abdullahi Buba, on August 8, during a raid on a criminal hideout in Tudun Doki Village, Gwadabawa LGA.

The operation was conducted following credible intelligence. 

The PPRO said preliminary interrogation indicated that Buba was a member of a syndicate allegedly involved in a series of kidnappings and the imposition of illegal levies on communities in Gwadabawa, Kware and Gada LGAs.

The 10-year-old boy, Muhammad Sufiyanu, was rescued after his uncle, Sani Ibrahim of Gidan Madi Town, reported his disappearance at Gidan Madi Police Station on August 11.

The boy was said to have gone missing at about 2pm that day.

At about 11pm, surveillance detectives from the Gidan Madi Division, accompanied by the complainant, intercepted two persons on a motorcycle carrying a concealed sack.

The suspects reportedly fled when challenged, but were pursued and abandoned the sack.

The police said the boy was found inside the sack, alive and responsive.

 He was immediately taken to Gidan Madi General Hospital, where he received treatment and was later discharged.

The victim told the police that one of the suspects lured him into a room, injected him with a sedative and forced him into the sack.

“The Sokoto State Police Command has dealt a major blow to criminal networks operating across the state, following two successful intelligence-led operations that resulted in the arrest of two suspects, including a notorious kidnapper, and the safe rescue of a 10-year-old boy,” the statement read.

"Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, raided a criminal hideout in Tudun Doki Village, Gwadabawa Local Government Area, on August 8, 2026, at approximately 1400hrs. The raid led to the arrest of Abdullahi Buba, alias "Osho," male.

"During preliminary interrogation, Buba confessed to being a key member of a notorious syndicate responsible for a series of kidnappings and the illegal imposition of levies on innocent communities across Gwadabawa, Kware, and Gada Local Government Areas. 

"The suspect is currently providing actionable intelligence to assist the police in tracking and arresting other fleeing gang members, as efforts intensify to completely dismantle the criminal network.

"In a separate development, on August 11, 2026, at about 2000hrs, one Sani Ibrahim of Gidan Madi Town, Tangaza LGA, reported at the Gidan Madi Police Station that his 10-year-old nephew, Muhammad Sufiyanu, had been missing since that afternoon.

"At about 2300hrs, surveillance detectives from the Gidan Madi Division, accompanied by the complainant, intercepted two suspicious persons on a motorcycle carrying a concealed sack. 

"When challenged, the suspects fled at high speed. After a determined pursuit, they abandoned the sack, which upon search was found to contain the kidnapped boy, alive and responsive.

"The victim was immediately rushed to Gidan Madi General Hospital, where he was treated and discharged. He later narrated that one of the suspects lured him into a room, administered a sedative via injection, and forced him into the sack. 

"One suspect has been arrested in connection with the incident and has confessed to the crime. Crime scene investigators have visited the scene, and investigations are ongoing.

"The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Cp Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, psc, mnips commends the officers involved in these operations and reassures members of the public of the Command's unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property. 

"Citizens are encouraged to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely and credible information that will aid in the ongoing fight against crime.

“Further updates will be communicated as investigations progress.”