Police Rescue Abducted Eight-Year-Old in Gombe, Arrest Four Suspects

The Gombe State Police Command has rescued an eight-year-old boy abducted in Akko Local Government Area and arrested four suspects allegedly involved in the crime.

The command said the child was recovered unharmed following a coordinated intelligence-led operation and has since been reunited with his family.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, the case was reported at the Akko Divisional Police Headquarters on June 28 by the victim’s father, Alhaji Muhammadu Nabadara.

The father informed the police that his son had left home on the morning of June 27 for an unknown destination and failed to return, prompting an immediate investigation.

Police detectives subsequently launched a search for the missing child while intensifying efforts to trace his whereabouts.

The statement disclosed that on June 29, the victim’s family received a telephone call claiming to reveal the boy’s location. However, security operatives later established that the information was false and intended to mislead investigators.

The breakthrough came on June 30 when police operatives, acting on intelligence, tracked down and arrested the first suspect, identified as Abdullahi Mohammed of Jauro Musa Quarters in Kumo, Akko Local Government Area.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to participating in the abduction and identified three alleged accomplices.

The police said the other suspects arrested were Mohammed Magaji, 35, Sale Sale, 23, and Walida Ya’u, 18, all residents of Kagarawal Quarters in Gombe.

The abducted child was subsequently found in their custody and rescued without sustaining any injuries.

Police said investigations are continuing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that the four suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.

Commending the officers involved in the operation, the Commissioner of Police in Gombe State, Umar Ahmed Chuso, praised their professionalism and swift response, describing the rescue as a demonstration of the command’s commitment to tackling crime.

He also reassured residents that the command would continue to protect lives and property across the state and urged members of the public to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent and solve crimes.