Police in Kano State have arrested Zakariyya Muhammad, who kidnapped his neighbor’s 2-year-old daughter and demanded a ransom of N2m for her release.

Police spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa announced on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, that the child was rescued 16 hours after being kidnapped from Sabuwar Gandu Kwarin Barka Quarters.

The suspect was arrested on Friday, July 5, after the victim’s father reported the incident to the police.

“On July 4, 2024, at about 4pm, a resident of Sabuwar Gandu Kwarin Barka Quarters reported receiving a call from an unknown person who claimed to have kidnapped his 2½-year-old daughter, Amina, and demanded a ransom of Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) for her release,” the statement read.

Upon receiving the report, Kano State Police Commissioner CP Salman Dogo Garba assigned an Anti-kidnapping Squad, led by SP Aliyu Muhammad Auwal, to rescue the victim within 24 hours and arrest the suspect.

The squad acted quickly and used intelligence and technical operations to arrest Zakariyya Muhammad, 22, from Sabuwar Gandu Kwarin Barka Quarters, on July 5, 2024, at 8am, 16 hours after the kidnapping.

The suspect, who is the victim’s neighbor, confessed to the crime and showed detectives where he had kept the child.

The child was found safe in a secluded area in their neighborhood and was taken to Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital, Kano, for a check-up. She was found healthy and discharged.

The Police Commissioner assured the public that such criminal acts would not be tolerated and that the police would use all resources to prevent crimes and bring criminals to justice.

The Commissioner thanked the community for their cooperation and urged them to stay vigilant and report any criminal activities to the police.

For emergencies, the Kano State Police Command can be reached at these numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926, or through the NPF Rescue Me app available in the Play Store, or via online media platforms.