The Borno State Police Command has rescued a six-year-old boy who was allegedly kidnapped in Maiduguri and arrested a suspect linked to the crime.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Nahum Daso.
According to Daso, the victim, identified as Alkali Musa of the Mafoni area of Maiduguri, was reported missing after he left home to play on June 6 and failed to return.
The PPRO stated that preliminary investigations revealed that shortly after the child’s disappearance, the suspect contacted the boy’s parents and demanded a ransom of N200,000 for his release.
He noted that upon receiving the complaint on Sunday, the Divisional Police Officer of Lamisula Division reportedly mobilised a team of detectives and launched an intelligence-led operation to track down the suspect and rescue the victim.
The statement read, “On 7th June, 2026, at about 1400hrs, the Command received a report regarding a missing child, one Alkali Musa, a 6-year-old boy of Mafoni Area, Maiduguri, who had gone out to play on 6th June, 2026, but failed to return home.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that shortly after the child’s disappearance, the suspect contacted the parents and demanded a ransom of N200,000 for the child’s release.”
He noted that the operation led to the arrest of the suspect, identified as Ali Alhaji Ali, and the safe rescue of the child.
The statement added that the victim was rescued unharmed and reunited with his family.
“The efforts yielded positive results, as the suspect, one Ali Alhaji Ali, was apprehended and the victim was rescued unharmed.
“The suspect has confessed to the crime, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation and possible prosecution,” the statement added.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Borno State, Naziru Abdulmajid, commended the officers involved in the operation for their swift response and professionalism.
He also reassured residents of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
“The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, Naziru Abdulmajid, commended the swift response of the officers involved in the operation and reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
“The command further urges parents and guardians to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children, while encouraging members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station,” the statement concluded.
PUNCH Metro reported on April 25 that the Kano State Police Command rescued a two-year-old boy abducted in the state, arrested three suspects, and recovered N930,000 from the ransom paid by the victim’s family.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Kiyawa, had explained that the child was kidnapped and later rescued through an intelligence-led operation.
Read the full article here
