A 26-year-old woman, Saadiya Sahabi, has been arrested in Zamfara State for allegedly abducting her three-year-old niece and demanding ₦10m from the child’s father to secure her release.
Police operatives rescued the girl when they arrested the suspect on November 10 at Bela District, Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.The Zamfara State Police Public Relations Officer, Yazid Abubakar, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Friday.
According to the police spokesperson, the child’s father, Abdulganiyu Sahabi, reported the incident to detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department on October 30. Abdulganiyu told investigators that a caller using a concealed telephone number contacted him on October 29.
The caller claimed to have his daughter and demanded ₦10m before releasing her.The report prompted the Commissioner of Police, A.M. Bello, to order an investigation and direct officers to secure the child’s safe return.
Police detectives subsequently launched intelligence operations to identify the caller and locate the missing girl. Abubakar said officers relied on intelligence gathering, technical analysis and collaboration with strategic partners to track down the suspect.
The statement said, “Following days of sustained intelligence gathering, technical analysis and collaboration with strategic partners, the operatives successfully traced and arrested the suspect on November 10, 2026, at Bela District, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The victim was also rescued safely. ”Police identified Saadiya as the victim’s paternal aunt. She and the child’s father reportedly share the same biological father but have different mothers.
During questioning, the 26-year-old woman allegedly confessed to her involvement in the abduction, according to the command. However, investigators have yet to establish whether she acted alone or received assistance from other people.
The police said the investigation would continue to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify anyone else involved.
Following her rescue, officers took the child for a medical examination. She was later reunited with her parents on November 12 after the necessary assessment.
The command urged residents to remain alert and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station. It also encouraged the public to cooperate with security agencies to help prevent similar incidents.
Emiabata Deborah Oluwabusiolami
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