PUNCH

The police have rescued a five year-old girl, Aisha Ibrahim, who was kidnapped while returning from school on March 16, 2019, at the Ibudu 1 area of Warri, Delta State.

She was rescued unhurt at Bukan-Kwatu, Lafia, Nasarawa State, and reunited with her father, Mr Abdulmalik Ibrahim, of Gibori Street, Ibudu Market, Warri, on March 20 at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Two suspects, Abdullahi Abubakar, 30, and his mother, Mrs Jummai Salihu, 62, both of Bukan-Kwatu, Lafia, were arrested in connection with the girl’s abduction.

Abubakar, the principal suspect, who was said to be well-known to the family of the victim, allegedly kidnapped the schoolgirl on the pretext of helping her to cross the road.

He subsequently took her to Nasarawa State, where he allegedly kept her with his mother, while he contacted her parents for ransom.

The force spokesman, Frank Mba, disclosed in a statement on Monday that the suspects had made useful statements to the police on the roles they played in the kidnap.

He said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects, particularly one Inusah Ibrahim, 58, of No. 7 UCC Road, Hausa Quarter, Warri, who said to be connected to the crime.

The victim’s father was said to have showered encomium on the police for rescuing his daughter.

Meanwhile, the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has advised parents and guardians to pay close attention to their children/wards, especially their movements to and from school, in order to prevent any situation that might endanger them.

“The IG said parents and guardians should be aware that most criminal harm done to children, including child stealing, child trafficking, rape, defilement, abduction, and kidnap, are usually carried out by persons they are familiar with,” the statement added.