Neighbour, five others to face trial over Katsina schoolboy abduction

Authorities in Katsina State, Nigeria, have arrested six individuals, including a neighbor of the victim's family, in connection with the abduction of an eight-year-old boy. The Katsina State Police Command announced that the suspects will face trial for the crime.

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On 13th May, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m., the victim (name withheld) was kidnapped while returning from an Islamic school. Later, the following day, the suspects contacted the family and demanded N50,000,000 ransom. Following negotiations, N17,000,000 was paid to secure the release of the victim.

The boy was kidnapped on May 13 while returning from an Islamic school. The following day, the abductors contacted the family, demanding a ransom of 50 million naira. After negotiations, the family paid 17 million naira, securing the child's release. The police's newly established Violent Crime Response Unit acted swiftly on credible intelligence to apprehend the suspects on May 23.

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Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit of the command swung into action. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked and arrested 6 members of the syndicate today, May 23, 2026.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Nura Aliyu, 39, who allegedly masterminded the operation and is a neighbor to the family; Abubakar Aminu, 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, 51; Iliyasu Sani, 51; Abubakar Muhammad, 27; and Abdullahi Isma’il, 30. The suspects have confessed to their involvement and implicated another individual, Abdul, who is currently at large. A search operation is ongoing to locate him.

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While interrogating the suspects, they confessed to the commission of the offence and mentioned one Abdul, currently at large, as their accomplice. A manhunt is ongoing for the fleeing suspect.

During the investigation, police recovered exhibits including a Peugeot 307 vehicle, a Boxer motorcycle, and 7.5 million naira in cash, believed to be part of the ransom payment. The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Ali Fage, commended the operatives for their swift action and reassured the public of the command's commitment to combating violent crimes. The suspects will be charged in court once the investigation is complete.

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The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Ali Fage, commended the operatives for the swift operation and assured the public of the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.