By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes, arresting two suspects, including a suspected notorious kidnapper, and rescuing a 10-year-old boy abducted in Tangaza Local Government Area.
The breakthrough followed two separate intelligence-led operations carried out by operatives of the command, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai.
In the first operation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, raided a suspected criminal hideout in Tudun Doki Village, Gwadabawa Local Government Area, at about 2:00 p.m. on August 8, 2026.
The operation led to the arrest of Abdullahi Buba, popularly known as “Osho.”
According to the police, preliminary interrogation revealed that Buba was allegedly a key member of a notorious kidnapping syndicate responsible for a series of abductions and the illegal collection of levies from residents in Gwadabawa, Kware and Gada Local Government Areas.
The suspect, the command said, is currently providing information expected to assist investigators in tracking down other members of the gang who are still at large.
In a separate operation, police detectives attached to the Gidan Madi Division rescued a 10-year-old boy, Muhammad Sufiyanu, who was allegedly abducted in Gidan Madi Town, Tangaza LGA.
The boy was reported missing by his uncle, Sani Ibrahim, at the Gidan Madi Police Station at about 8:00 p.m. on August 11.
Police said that at about 11:00 p.m., surveillance detectives, accompanied by the complainant, intercepted two suspicious individuals travelling on a motorcycle with a concealed sack.
The suspects reportedly fled when challenged by the detectives, prompting a pursuit during which they abandoned the sack.
Upon searching the sack, the officers discovered the missing boy alive and responsive.
He was immediately taken to Gidan Madi General Hospital, where he received medical attention and was subsequently discharged.
During questioning, the victim reportedly told investigators that one of the suspects had lured him into a room, injected him with a sedative and forced him into the sack.
The police confirmed that one suspect had been arrested in connection with the abduction and had allegedly confessed to the crime.
Crime scene investigators have also visited the scene as detectives continue efforts to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident and apprehend other suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commended the officers involved in both operations for their prompt response, courage and professionalism.
Shaffa reassured residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state.
He urged members of the public to continue providing security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that public cooperation remained critical to the fight against kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The command said further updates would be made available as investigations progress.
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