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From John Bassey, Gusau
The Zamfara State Police Command has rescued a three-year-old girl child, Nabila Abdulganiyu, who was allegedly abducted and held in captivity for about two weeks.
The rescue followed the arrest of her 26-year-old paternal aunt, Saadiya Sahabi, in connection with the incident.
According to a statement by DSP Yazid Abubakar, ANIPR, Police Public Relations Officer, Zamfara State Police Command, detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department (SID) received a formal complaint at about 1130 hours on 30 October 2026 from one Abdulganiyu Sahabi, a resident of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area. He reported the abduction of his three-year-old daughter by an unknown person on 28 October 2026.
The complainant further disclosed that on 29 October 2026 he received a telephone call from a concealed number, during which the caller claimed to have his daughter in custody and demanded a ransom of Ten Million Naira (₦10,000,000) for her release.
Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State Command, CP A.M. Bello, psc+, Mnips, Ccnp, immediately directed the State Intelligence Department to commence a thorough investigation and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted child.
Following days of sustained intelligence gathering, technical analysis and collaboration with strategic partners, the operatives traced and arrested the suspect on 10 November 2026 at Bela District, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The victim was also rescued safely.
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Preliminary investigation identified the suspect as Saadiya Sahabi, aged 26, who is the younger sister of the victim’s father, sharing the same biological father but having different mothers.
During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to her involvement in the crime.
Investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and to identify and apprehend any other persons who may have participated in the crime.
The rescued child was taken for medical examination and, after the necessary assessment, was formally reunited with her parents on 12 November 2026.
The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives of the State Intelligence Department for their professionalism, dedication and effective application of intelligence-led policing, which culminated in the successful rescue of the child.
He reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, particularly vulnerable members of society, and to ensuring that all persons found culpable of kidnapping and other criminal activities are brought to justice.
The Command urges members of the public to remain vigilant, strengthen cooperation with security agencies and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
