The Sokoto State Police Command has recorded fresh successes in its fight against kidnapping, with two separate operations resulting in the arrest of suspected criminals and the rescue of a 10-year-old boy.

The Command said the operations, carried out through intelligence gathering and rapid response, were part of efforts to disrupt criminal networks operating across the state.

In one of the operations, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided a suspected criminal hideout at Tudun Doki Village in Gwadabawa Local Government Area at about 2pm on August 8.

The operation led to the arrest of Abdullahi Buba, popularly known as “Osho”, who police described as a notorious suspected kidnapper.

According to the Command, preliminary interrogation indicated that Buba was allegedly an important member of a criminal syndicate involved in kidnapping and the collection of illegal levies from residents of Gwadabawa, Kware and Gada local government areas.

Police said the suspect was assisting investigators with information that could lead to the arrest of other members of the syndicate still at large.

Meanwhile, detectives at the Gidan Madi Police Division in Tangaza LGA rescued a 10-year-old boy, Muhammad Sufiyanu, after he was allegedly abducted.

The alarm was raised by Sani Ibrahim of Gidan Madi Town, who reported at the police station at about 8pm on August 11 that his nephew had disappeared earlier in the day.

Detectives immediately launched a search operation with the complainant. At about 11pm, they spotted two people on a motorcycle carrying a suspiciously concealed sack.

The suspects reportedly abandoned the motorcycle and fled after being challenged by the detectives. When officers searched the sack, they discovered the missing boy inside, alive and responsive.

Sufiyanu was taken to Gidan Madi General Hospital for treatment and was later discharged.

During preliminary investigation, the boy reportedly told police that one of the suspects had lured him into a room, injected him with a sedative and then put him inside the sack.

One suspect has been arrested and, according to the police, has confessed to involvement in the alleged abduction.

Crime Scene Investigators have visited locations connected to the incident as detectives work to establish the full circumstances of the case and identify other persons who may have been involved.

The Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, praised the officers and detectives for their courage, vigilance and professionalism.

Shaffa said the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing to protect residents and disrupt criminal activities, warning criminals that they would be pursued regardless of where they attempted to hide.

He also called on members of the public to remain alert and provide security agencies with timely and credible information that could help in identifying and apprehending suspects.

The Command said investigations into the two cases are continuing.