Police nab kidnapper of 18-month-old baby in Kano

Operatives of Kano State police have arrested a 22-year-old suspected kidnapper, Zakariyya Muhammad, 16 hours after kidnapping an 18-month-old child.

The arrest was made known in a statement by the Police Command’s spokesman, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa on Tuesday.

Haruna said Muhammad was arrested on Thursday following a report from a resident who claimed that the father of the victim informed him of the incident.

He said the suspect demanded N2 million ransom for her release.

He said, “On 04/07/2024 at about 4 pm, a report was received from a resident of Sabuwar Gandu Kwarin Barka Quarters, Kano that he received a phone call from an unknown person, who claimed to have kidnapped his 2½-year-old daughter, Amina and demanded N2 million ransom for her release.”.

“On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Salman Dogo Garba mobilised a team of Anti-kidnapping Squad, led by SP Aliyu Muhammad Auwal, with a directive to rescue the victim within 24 hours to ensure the arrest of the suspect.”

“Consequently, the squad swung into action and with sustained efforts, coupled with intelligence-led technical operations, it led to the arrest of the suspect, Zakariyya Muhammad, ‘m’, aged 22 years old, of Sabuwar Gandu Kwarin Barka Quarters, Kano on 05/07/2024 by 8 am, i.e. 16 hours after the kidnap incident.”

The police boss also revealed that Muhammad, who is a neighbour to the victim confessed to having singlehandedly committed the offence and led the detectives to where she held the victim hostage.

“Subsequently, the victim was rescued unhurt in an isolated area in their neighbourhood and rushed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, where she was examined, certified healthy, and discharged.”

The Commissioner of Police assured the public that this despicable act would not be tolerated, promising that the Command will continue to leverage all its available assets to forestall all criminal activities and bring the perpetrators to justice.

While appreciating the law-abiding people of the state, the Commissioner of Police urged the community to remain vigilant and cooperate with the police in preventing and reporting criminal activities to help create a safer environment for all.

“In case of emergencies, Kano State Police Command can be contacted through the following mobile phone numbers; 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926, or login to the NPF Rescue Me Application available in the Play Store, or through the following Online Media Platforms:

“Facebook: Kano State Police Command, Twitter: Kano State Police Command (@KanoPoliceNG), Instagram: Kano State Police Command, Tiktok: Kano State Police Command,” the statement added.