Police Arrest Woman For Allegedly Kidnapping Three-Year-Old Niece, Demanding N10m Ransom
The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old woman, Saadiya Sahabi, for allegedly kidnapping her three-year-old niece and keeping her in captivity for about two weeks while demanding a N10 million ransom from the child’s parents.
The suspect, who is reportedly the younger sister of the victim’s father, was arrested following an intelligence-led investigation that led to the successful rescue of the little girl, identified as Nabila Abdulganiyu.
According to the police, the victim’s father, Abdulganiyu Sahabi, reported his daughter’s disappearance to detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department (SID) on October 30, 2026. He alleged that the child had been abducted by an unidentified person two days earlier.
The police disclosed that the father had received a telephone call from a concealed number on October 29, with the caller claiming to have his daughter and demanding N10 million for her release.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police in the state, A.M. Bello, reportedly directed the State Intelligence Department to launch an investigation and ensure the safe recovery of the child.
In a statement released on Friday, the police spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said detectives, through sustained intelligence gathering, technical analysis and collaboration with strategic partners, tracked down and arrested the suspect on November 10 at Bela District, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The police confirmed that the little girl was rescued unharmed during the operation.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect was the child’s paternal aunt, sharing the same biological father with the victim’s father but having different mothers.
The police added that the suspect allegedly confessed to her involvement in the crime during interrogation.
Meanwhile, the Command said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify other possible accomplices.
The rescued girl was subsequently taken for medical examination before being reunited with her parents on November 12.
Commending the operatives, Commissioner Bello praised their professionalism and intelligence-led approach, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that criminal suspects are brought to justice.
