BY MUSA IDRIS UMAR, DECEMBER 06, 2025 | 10:06 AM
The Borno State Police Command says five suspects have been arrested over the kidnapping of an eight-year-old girl in Maiduguri.
The arrests followed an investigation by the command’s Crack Squad.
Police spokesman ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso confirmed the development in a statement on Friday.
He said the child, who lives in Gomari, was kidnapped on November 4, 2025, while returning from school.
The abductors later contacted her family and demanded N3 million ransom.
The family paid the money through cryptocurrency, and the girl was released on November 7.
Following the report, Commissioner of Police Naziru Abdulmajid ordered an intelligence-led investigation.
The Crack Squad tracked and arrested the suspects between November 29 and December 4.
Those arrested are Mustapha Mohammed, 20; Ismail Shuaibu, 25; Abdul Mohammed Bulama, 23; Amina Ibrahim, 19; and Lawan Yusuf Hassan, 25.
Police said preliminary findings show that Mustapha, who is the victim’s uncle, planned the abduction.
He allegedly conspired with Ismail and Abdul to carry out the kidnapping.
The suspects reportedly picked the child on her way from school and moved her through several tricycles to avoid detection.
They later changed her clothes at a tailor shop and disposed of her school uniform.
Police said the suspects took the girl to a hotel around Pompomari Bypass with the help of Amina, who posed as the child’s mother.
The child was kept there for three days until ransom was paid.
Further tracing led to the arrest of Lawan, who police say received the cryptocurrency payment.
The police said efforts are ongoing to recover the ransom and track other accomplices.
Commissioner Abdulmajid commended the Crack Squad for the operation.
He warned criminals to desist from violent crimes or face prosecution.
The police said more updates will be shared as investigation continues.