By Bala Dauda, Damaturu
The Yobe State Police Command successfully rescued a 10-year-old boy, Abdullahi Hassan, from the clutches of a suspected kidnapper, Yusuf Ali, in the outskirts of Darazo, Bauchi State. The daring rescue took place on October 18, following days of intense investigation and intelligence work.
Speaking to journalists in Damaturu, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, revealed that Ali, a 43-year-old resident of Damaturu, was arrested in the Kara area of Darazo, where he had held the boy captive. The victim had been missing since October 13 after failing to return home from school.
“On October 14, 2024, Mallam Hassan reported to the State Intelligence Department (SID) that his son, Abdullahi Hassan, had gone missing after school hours the previous day. Despite immediate efforts to locate him, the boy’s whereabouts remained unknown until the kidnapper demanded a ransom of N1.5 million for his release,” Abdulkarim said.
Thanks to swift coordination by the police, detectives were able to track the suspect to a secured room in the Darazo suburb, where the boy was rescued unharmed. The suspect, Ali, was arrested and is currently in police custody.
Commissioner of Police Garba Ahmed, who commended the efforts of the officers involved, expressed relief that the boy had been safely returned to his family. “The successful rescue of Abdullahi underscores our commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents, especially vulnerable children,” he said.
He also urged parents to educate their children about safety precautions, especially in avoiding interactions with strangers. “Children should be taught to avoid isolated areas, not walk alone, and report any suspicious activity to security agents. We all have a role to play in ensuring the safety of our children,” Abdulkarim added.
The suspect will face charges in court, and investigations are ongoing to determine if he is connected to a larger kidnapping syndicate operating in the region.