Police rescue abducted eight-year-old, arrest four in Gombe

The Gombe State Police Command has rescued an eight-year-old boy who was abducted in the Akko Local Government Area of the state and arrested four suspects allegedly involved in the crime.

The victim was rescued unharmed during an intelligence-led operation and has since been reunited with his family, while the suspects are expected to be charged in court after the conclusion of the investigations.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to the statement, the boy’s father, Muhammadu Nabadara, reported the incident at the Akko Divisional Police Headquarters on June 28 after his son left home around 6:30 a.m. on June 27 and failed to return.

Abdullahi said detectives immediately launched an investigation and intensified efforts to trace the missing child.

He explained that on June 29, the victim’s family received a telephone call from a caller who claimed to know the child’s whereabouts, but police verification revealed the information to be false.

The breakthrough came on June 30 when intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of the first suspect, Abdullahi Mohammed, of Jauro Musa Quarters in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area.

“During the interview, Abdullahi Mohammed confessed to having conspired with Mohammed Magaji, 35; Sale Sale, 23; and Walida Ya’u, 18, all of Kagarawal Quarters, Gombe, to abduct the victim,” the statement read.

The police said the three other suspects were subsequently arrested, and the abducted boy was found in their custody.

“The victim was successfully rescued unharmed and has since been reunited with his family. Investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion,” the statement added.

Commending the operatives for the successful rescue, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, CP Umar Chuso, praised their professionalism, diligence and swift response.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies to support the fight against crime.