Kebbi Woman Confesses to Kidnapping Friend’s Child, Seeking N5m Ransom

Kebbi Woman Confesses to Kidnapping Friend’s Child, Seeking N5m Ransom

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested a 25-year-old woman, Maryam Muhammad, for allegedly abducting her friend’s four-year-old son, Abdulmumini Surajo, and demanding a N5m ransom for his release.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama revealed in a post on X on Monday that the child was declared missing on November 26, 2025. According to him, the victim’s father received a phone call shortly after the disappearance from an unknown female voice insisting on a N5m payment.

Police detectives launched a manhunt and successfully traced the call to Muhammad, leading to her arrest. Makama noted that the suspect, a married woman from the same community, confessed to the abduction during interrogation.

READ ALSO:

• Bakare Says Trump’s Renewed Focus on Nigeria Driven by Oil, Minerals, Tech Interests
• Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke Quits PDP Over Escalating Leadership Crisis
• US Pressure Triggers Calls for Matawalle’s Sack as Tinubu Faces Tough Defence Shake-Up

The child was rescued unharmed on November 29 at about 6:08 p.m. in Mahuta, Fakai Local Government Area, where he had been kept by the suspect.

Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Nafiu Abubakar, said the suspect acted out of retaliation following a misunderstanding she had with the boy’s mother. He added that Muhammad is currently in custody while investigations continue.

The incident adds to growing concerns over rising kidnapping cases in Nigeria, including the recent abduction of female students in Kebbi State. On November 17, bandits attacked a school in the Maga area, killing two staff members and kidnapping 25 students, who were later released.

Kebbi Woman Confesses to Kidnapping Friend’s Child, Seeking N5m Ransom