The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 14-year-old girl for allegedly staging her own abduction and masterminding the kidnapping of her four-year-old sister in a plot to extort ₦50 million from their father.
This was disclosed by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, during a press briefing held at the Command Headquarters on Thursday.
According to Sadiq, the case was initially reported on February 20, 2025, by Alhaji Badamasi Bala of Madaci Yan Nono Quarters, Katsina.
He reported that his two daughters, aged 14 and 4, had been kidnapped, and a ransom of ₦50 million was demanded for their release.
“After about four months, the older daughter reappeared and, during questioning, confessed to collaborating with three accomplices to stage her own kidnapping and abduct her younger sister,” Sadiq said.
The police swiftly arrested the remaining members of the syndicate—aged 25, 19, and 16—and successfully rescued the four-year-old girl unharmed. One live round of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition was recovered during the operation.
“All suspects have confessed to the crime, and further investigations are underway,” Sadiq added.
Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Shehu, praised the officers involved in cracking the case and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to help combat crime in the state.