The Kebbi State Police Command says it has arrested two suspected kidnappers and rescued a 14-year-old victim during a joint security operation in the Ka’oje area of Bagudo Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as 25-year-old Aliyu Alhaji Shehu (also known as Altine) and Abubakar Umar (Bube), were allegedly part of a five-man gang that abducted the teenager from his home on October 18.
Police spokesperson CSP Nafi’u Abubakar, in a statement on Sunday, said the rescue followed a coordinated pursuit by police operatives and local vigilante members.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer in Ka’oje mobilised a combined team of security personnel who tracked the kidnappers into Sada forest,” he said.
“The suspects fled with suspected gunshot injuries due to the superior firepower of the operatives.”
The police confirmed that the boy, Aliyu Buda, was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family after undergoing medical checks.
A locally made revolver and a live round of ammunition were reportedly recovered from one of the suspects’ homes.
The Police Command also revealed that the gang is believed to be responsible for other abductions in the area, including the kidnapping of a 70-year-old man, Alhaji Alti, in October.
Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Sani, commended the operatives for the successful rescue, urging them to maintain collaboration with local vigilantes.
“This level of cooperation is critical to defeating kidnapping and other violent crimes in our communities,” he said.
Sani added that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Birnin Kebbi, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining fleeing suspects — identified as Dogo, Magaji, Bande, and Janyo.
The police appealed to residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movement to security operatives promptly.
