The Gombe State Police Command has rescued an eight-year-old boy from the custody of suspected kidnappers and arrested four suspects following an intelligence-led operation in the state.
The victim, who had been reported missing after leaving his home in Akko Local Government Area, was found unharmed three days later and reunited with his family after police operatives tracked down the alleged abductors through coordinated investigations.
According to the police, the child’s father, Muhammadu Nabadara, reported the disappearance to the Akko Divisional Police Headquarters on June 28, stating that his son had left home in the early hours of June 27 for an unknown destination and failed to return.
The command said detectives immediately launched an investigation, deploying intelligence and other coordinated efforts to trace the missing child.
During the search, the family reportedly received a telephone call on June 29 claiming to reveal the boy’s whereabouts, but police later established that the information was false and intended to mislead investigators.
The breakthrough came on June 30 when operatives arrested the first suspect, Abdullahi Mohammed, in Jauro Musa Quarters, Kumo, Akko Local Government Area, following an intelligence-led operation.
Police said the suspect allegedly confessed during interrogation to conspiring with three others identified as Mohammed Magaji, 35; Sale Sale, 23; and Walida Ya’u, 18, all of Kagarawal Quarters in Gombe, to abduct the child.
The three other suspects were subsequently arrested, while the victim was found in their custody and rescued without sustaining any harm.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Buhari Abdullahi, said the child had since been reunited with his family, adding that investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the probe.
Reacting to the successful operation, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Chuso, commended the professionalism, diligence and swift response of the officers involved in the rescue mission.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state and urged residents to remain vigilant by providing credible and timely information that would assist security agencies in preventing and combating crime.