The Borno State Police Command has rescued a seven-year-old boy kidnapped by criminal elements in the Chad Basin area of Maiduguri.

In a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, ASP Nahum Kenneth-Daso, it was revealed that the victim was rescued unhurt and taken to hospital for medical assessment. Five suspects have been taken into custody, and ₦1,500,000 in suspected ransom flickered through a POS terminal has been recovered.

According to the Command, the successful operation represents a significant win for CP Naziru Abdulmajid’s ongoing crackdown on violent crime in the state.

“On 24th March, 2026, at about 1530hrs, a report was received at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Maiduguri, from a resident of Chad Basin Area, that his seven-year-old son was kidnapped on 23rd March at about 1840hrs by unknown persons,” the statement confirmed.

Preliminary investigations showed the kidnappers contacted the victim’s mother using a concealed GSM number. They initially demanded a ransom of ₦10,000,000, which was later negotiated down to ₦8,000,000.

A payment of ₦1,500,000 was subsequently made into a Point of Sale (POS) account provided by the suspects. This digital footprint proved to be their undoing.

Detectives used intensive digital forensic analysis to trace the transaction, leading to the initial arrest of Musa Mohammed Bashir, the POS operator whose account received the funds.

“Further coordinated operations led to the arrest of four additional suspects, namely: Ali Adam (aka Abba), 24; Abubakar Sadiq, 29; Abba Goni Abba, 18; and Mohammed Musa (aka Ale Mamman), 18,” the statement read. All suspects are residents of the Chad Basin and Bulabulin Alajiri areas of the state capital.

The police noted that the case remains under active investigation, and the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of the inquiry.

SAFETY TIPS FOR PARENTS

Digital security experts recommend the following emergency protocols for parents and guardians:

Immediate Reporting: If a child goes missing, report it to the nearest police station or State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) immediately. The first 24 hours are the most critical for digital tracking.

Preserve Digital Evidence: Do not delete any call logs, SMS, or WhatsApp messages from suspected kidnappers. Avoid blocking the number, as investigators use these “concealed” lines for forensic tracing.

Financial Caution: Before making any ransom payments via POS or bank transfers, consult with law enforcement. Digital footprints are often the only way to trace suspects, and premature payments without police oversight can complicate the rescue.

Vigilance in High-Risk Areas: Ensure children are supervised during peak “movement” hours (typically between 17:00 and 20:00). Familiarise children with safe houses or trusted neighbours in your immediate vicinity.

Confidentiality: Limit the number of people who know about a ransom negotiation. Spreading information on social media or within large groups can tip off suspects and put the victim at higher risk. (Channels)