Police Arrest Suspect Over Nine-Year-Old Boy’s Kidnap in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected thug, Abubakar Isma’il, popularly known as Sankolo, in connection with the kidnapping of a nine-year-old boy, Ubaidu Sammani, in the Rimin Kebbe area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed the arrest in a statement on Sunday, saying the 22-year-old suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Zango Police Division on Friday, November 6.

Kiyawa said the arrest followed intelligence gathered after another suspected thug, Umar Usman, also known as Ta’ambo, was arrested on November 5.

Ta’ambo, 25, had been arrested over alleged involvement in thuggery, mobile phone robberies and attacks on security personnel in Rimin Kebbe and neighbouring communities.

According to the police, Sankolo was allegedly a leading figure in criminal activities in the area and a principal suspect in the kidnapping of Ubaidu, whose alleged accomplices had already been charged to court.

The boy, who is the son of Alhaji Sammani, a resident of Rimin Kebbe, was reportedly abducted on July 3, 2026.

Police operatives arrested Sankolo at about 9:30 p.m. on November 6 at Rimin Kebbe Quarters during an operation coordinated under the command’s Operation Kukan Kura initiative.

Preliminary investigations reportedly linked the suspect to several cases of thuggery and mobile phone robbery in the community and surrounding areas.

The police further alleged that he coordinated attacks, intimidated residents and participated in the theft of mobile phones and other valuables.

The statement added that the suspect confessed to involvement in several thuggery-related activities during preliminary investigations.

Residents and community leaders reportedly welcomed the arrest, describing it as a significant development in efforts to curb criminal activities in the area.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, commended officers of the Zango Division for their professionalism and urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies.

The command said the suspect remained in custody as investigations continued, while efforts were underway to arrest other members of the alleged gang and recover stolen property and weapons.

It added that the suspect would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.