Sokoto Police Bust Kidnap Ring, Free 10-Year-Old Boy Found in Concealed Sack

The Sokoto State Police Command has successfully dismantled a kidnapping network, apprehending two notorious individuals and rescuing a 10-year-old boy in two distinct operations. DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the command’s spokesperson, released a statement on August 12, 2026, detailing how Muhammad Sufiyanu, the minor, was abducted from Gidan Madi Town in Tangaza Local Government Area of the state.

According to the official statement, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Abdullahi Buba on August 8, 2026. This arrest occurred during a raid on a criminal hideout located in Tudun Doki Village, Gwadabawa LGA, following actionable intelligence. Initial questioning of Buba revealed his alleged involvement as a key member of a syndicate responsible for numerous abductions and the unlawful collection of levies from communities across Gwadabawa, Kware, and Gada LGAs.

In a separate incident, the 10-year-old, Muhammad Sufiyanu, was rescued after his uncle, Sani Ibrahim of Gidan Madi Town, reported his disappearance at the Gidan Madi Police Station on August 11, 2026. The boy had reportedly gone missing around 2 pm that day. Later, at approximately 11 pm, surveillance detectives from the Gidan Madi Division, accompanied by the complainant, intercepted two individuals on a motorcycle carrying a suspicious, concealed sack.

Upon being challenged by the officers, the suspects reportedly fled at high speed but were pursued. They eventually abandoned the sack, which, upon inspection, was found to contain the kidnapped boy, alive and responsive. He was immediately transported to Gidan Madi General Hospital for treatment and subsequently discharged. The victim recounted to the police that one of his abductors lured him into a room, injected him with a sedative, and then forced him into the sack.

The statement emphasized that “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.” It further detailed that “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.”

Buba, during his preliminary interrogation, “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.” He is currently assisting the police with intelligence to track other fleeing gang members and dismantle the network.

Regarding Muhammad Sufiyanu's rescue, the statement added: “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.” It continued, “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.” After the pursuit and abandonment, “the sack, which upon search was found to contain the kidnapped boy, alive and responsive.” The boy's account of being lured, sedated, and forced into the sack was also highlighted.

One suspect involved in the boy's abduction has since been arrested and has confessed. Crime scene investigators have visited the location, and investigations are ongoing. Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Cp Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, psc, mnips, commended his officers and reaffirmed the command's dedication to protecting lives and property. He urged citizens to continue providing timely and credible information to aid the fight against crime, promising further updates as the investigation progresses.