The Katsina State Police Command has successfully rescued a 4-year-old girl who was kidnapped and arrested four members of a kidnapping syndicate during a coordinated operation in Katsina metropolis.
According to counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the operation was initiated following a report by Alhaji Badamasi Bala, who stated that two of his daughters, aged 14 and 4, were abducted from his residence in Madaci Yan Nono quarters on February 20, 2025. The kidnappers had demanded a ransom of ₦50 million for their release.
Acting on directives from the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Shehu, the police anti-kidnapping unit launched an investigation that led to the arrest of the first suspect. Subsequent intelligence-driven operations resulted in the apprehension of three accomplices aged 25, 19, and 16.
The 4-year-old girl was rescued unharmed during the operation. However, authorities are still searching for her 14-year-old sister who remains missing.
During interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime. Police recovered one live round of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition from the suspects.
This rescue operation highlights the ongoing efforts by the Katsina Police Command to combat kidnapping in the state, which has been a persistent security challenge in Nigeria's northwestern region.
The case is part of a troubling trend of kidnappings in northern Nigeria, where criminal gangs often target vulnerable individuals, particularly children, for ransom.
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