Woman arrested for kidnapping her 3-year-old niece and demanding N10m ransom in Zamfara

The Zamfara State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old woman identified as Saadiya Sahabi, for kidnapping her 3-year-old niece, keeping the child in captivity for about two weeks while demanding N10m ransom from her parents.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Yazid Abubakar, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, November 13, 2026 said the victim identified as Nabila Abdulganiyu, was safely rescued and reunited with her parents. 

According to the PPRO, the suspect, who is the sister of the victim's father, was arrested by police operatives after an intelligence-led investigation that culminated in the rescue of the victim. 

Abubakar said the victim's father, Abdulganiyu Sahabi, reported her disappearance to detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department (SID) on October 30, 2026.

The father alleged that he received a phone call from a caller who claimed to be holding his daughter and demanded N10m ransom for her release. 

Abubakar said sustained intelligence gathering, technical analysis and collaboration with strategic partners led to the the suspect on November 10 at Bela District, Bungudu Local Government Area of the state.

“The Zamfara State Police Command has successfully rescued a three-year-old girl, Nabila Abdulganiyu, who was allegedly abducted and held in captivity for about two weeks,” the statement read. 

"The rescue followed the arrest of her 26-year-old paternal aunt, Saadiya Sahabi, in connection with the incident.

"On 30th October 2026, at about 1130 hours, detectives attached to the State Intelligence Department (SID) received a formal complaint from one Abdulganiyu Sahabi, a resident of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, reporting the abduction of his three-year-old daughter by an unknown person on 28th October 2026.

"The complainant further disclosed that on 29th October 2026, he received a telephone call from a concealed number, during which the caller claimed to have his daughter in custody and demanded a ransom of Ten Million Naira (₦10,000,000) for her release.

"Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Zamfara State Command, CP A.M. Bello, psc+, Mnips, Ccnp, immediately directed the State Intelligence Department to commence a thorough investigation and ensure the safe rescue of the abducted child.

"Following days of sustained intelligence gathering, technical analysis and collaboration with strategic partners, the operatives successfully traced and arrested the suspect on 10th November 2026 at Bela District, Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The victim was also rescued safely.

"Preliminary investigation identified the suspect as Saadiya Sahabi, aged 26, who is the younger sister of the victim's father, sharing the same biological father but having different mothers.

"During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to her involvement in the crime.

"Investigation is ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify and apprehend any other persons who may have participated in the crime.

"The rescued child was taken for medical examination and, after necessary assessment, was formally reunited with her parents on 12th November 2026.

"The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives of the State Intelligence Department for their professionalism, dedication and effective application of intelligence-led policing, which culminated in the successful rescue of the child.

"He reiterated the Command's unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property, particularly vulnerable members of society, and ensuring that all persons found culpable of kidnapping and other criminal activities are brought to justice.

“The Command urges members of the public to remain vigilant, strengthen cooperation with security agencies and promptly report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.”