….Suspect, 26, allegedly abducted niece, demanded ₦10m ransom — Police
The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old girl, Nabila Abdulganiyu, after spending about two weeks in captivity, with her 26-year-old paternal aunt arrested over her alleged abduction.
The dramatic rescue followed an intelligence-led investigation by operatives of the State Intelligence Department (SID), who tracked down the suspect, identified as Saadiya Sahabi, at Bela District in Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.
According to the police, the suspect allegedly masterminded the abduction of her young niece before demanding a ransom of ₦10 million from the child’s father for her release.
The Command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, November 13, 2026, by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar.
The statement said the incident came to the attention of the police on October 30, 2026, when detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department received a formal complaint from Abdulganiyu Sahabi, a resident of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, reporting the disappearance of his three-year-old daughter.
The complainant told the police that his daughter was allegedly abducted by an unidentified person on October 28.
More disturbing was the revelation that the following day, October 29, he received a telephone call from a concealed number, with the caller claiming to have the little girl in custody and demanding ₦10 million as ransom for her freedom.
Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP A.M. Bello, immediately directed the State Intelligence Department to launch a comprehensive investigation and ensure the safe return of the missing child.
The directive triggered days of intensive intelligence gathering, technical analysis and collaboration with strategic security partners, which eventually led investigators to the suspect’s hideout.
Police operatives subsequently arrested Saadiya Sahabi on November 10 at Bela District in Bungudu LGA, where the missing child was also successfully rescued.
Preliminary investigations reportedly revealed that the suspect was the younger sister of the victim’s father. Both share the same biological father but have different mothers.
The police further disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to her involvement in the crime.
The development has added a disturbing family dimension to the incident, as the person accused of being involved in the little girl’s disappearance is reportedly a close relative who would ordinarily be expected to protect her.
Meanwhile, the rescued child was immediately taken for medical examination to ascertain her health condition following her period in captivity.
After the necessary medical assessment, Nabila was formally reunited with her parents on November 12, bringing relief to the family after days of uncertainty and anguish.
The police, however, said investigations were still ongoing to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether other individuals participated in the alleged crime.
Commending the operatives involved in the operation, CP Bello praised the State Intelligence Department for its professionalism, dedication and effective deployment of intelligence-led policing, which resulted in the successful rescue of the child.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, particularly vulnerable members of society, while ensuring that anyone found culpable of kidnapping and other criminal activities is brought to justice.
The Commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant, strengthen cooperation with security agencies and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
For the rescued three-year-old and her family, the successful operation has brought a painful chapter to an end, while the ongoing investigation is expected to establish the full details of the alleged crime and ensure accountability.
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