The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers and rescued a four-year-old boy following a swift, intelligence-led operation in Bauchi.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, in a statement issued on Friday, said detectives from the State Intelligence Department successfully tracked and apprehended the suspects after receiving a kidnapping complaint from the victim’s father.

“On June 10, 2026, the Command acted on a formal complaint of kidnapping lodged by a 45-year-old father, a resident of Gida Dudu Housing Estate, Bauchi. The complainant reported that his son, Musa (surname withheld), a four-year-old boy, was abducted from the frontage of their residence,” the statement said.

Investigations revealed that one of the suspects, identified as Muhammad Usman, 39, allegedly lured the child away from his home on June 9 and subsequently took him to the residence of the second suspect, Hayatudeen Ahmad, 40, who resides in the same estate.

According to the statement, to conceal his crime, Muhammad Usman deceived Hayatudeen Ahmad, claiming the boy was his sister’s son and that she was critically ill. He further claimed it was too late to travel to Kano that night and pleaded with the second suspect to keep the child overnight, promising to take him to their family in Kano the following day.

The police further disclosed that the suspect later wrote a ransom note demanding N5 million from the victim’s family, attached with the phone number for the payment.

The child has since been reunited with his family,” the statement added.

The statement said both suspects remained in police custody and were cooperating with investigators.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Aliyu Sani-Omolori, commended the detectives for their professionalism and prompt response.

The police commissioner also advised parents and guardians to educate their children against trusting strangers, remain vigilant, and promptly report suspicious activities involving children to the nearest police station.

Troops of Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI have arrested suspected kidnappers and recovered AK-47 rifles and ammunition in Borno.

In a statement on its platform on Friday (Whatsapp), it said troops while acting on credible intelligence, conducted a well-coordinated operation along a known criminal corridor in Magumeri, leading to the arrest of 5 suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for terrorising innocent civilians within the area.

The troops also recovered two AK-47 rifles, magazines and ammunition, adding that following investigations, the suspects were linked to kidnapping and other criminal activities in Borno State.

The arrested individuals are currently in custody and are assisting security agencies with further investigations aimed at apprehending other members of the syndicate and dismantling their support networks.

A fire outbreak has destroyed shops and office spaces along Murtala Mohammed Way, near FCMB Bank in Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State, leaving several properties damaged.

This was contained in a statement signed by ACFO Saminu Yusif Abdullahi, Public Relations Officer, Kano State Fire Service on Friday. 

According to the statement,  the incident occurred on Thursday night around 10:54 p.m.

The service said its Emergency Response Unit received a distress call from one of its staff, HFS Ibrahim Sabo, who reported the fire outbreak.

Firefighters from the headquarters and other stations were immediately deployed to the scene to contain the blaze.

“On arrival, they found a one-storey building and an adjoining open commercial area measuring about 300 by 200 feet already engulfed in flames.

The fire was said to have started from the salvage yard, also known as Takumbo Market, before spreading to nearby buildings.

“The fire started from the salvage yard area and later spread to the upper floor of the Kanawa Building,” the Fire Service said.

According to the statement, the fire destroyed two offices, two parlours, two toilets and one kitchen in the Kanawa Building.

“It also affected two shops on the ground floor of TUSRAYS Nigeria Limited.”

The Fire Service said preliminary findings suggest that the fire was caused by an electrical spark.

Director of the Kano State Fire Service, Alhaji Sani Anas, advised residents to take safety precautions to prevent similar incidents.

He also urged the public to quickly report any fire outbreak to the nearest fire station to enable rapid response and reduce damage.