The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested two suspects over the alleged abduction of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy from Babura General Hospital in Babura Local Government Area.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Lawan Shiisu, said the suspects were arrested after police received a distress call reporting the child’s disappearance from the hospital’s paediatric ward.
According to him, the suspects are a 20-year-old woman from Kaduna State and a 25-year-old nursing officer attached to the hospital.
Shiisu said police operatives tracked and arrested the woman on the outskirts of Babura with the missing child, while further investigation led to the arrest of the nursing officer, who allegedly conspired with her.
He added that the woman confessed during interrogation that she planned to take the child to an orphanage in Kaduna State with the intention of selling him for N2 million.
The rescued child has been placed in protective custody and will be reunited with his family after the necessary procedures. Investigations are ongoing to identify other possible accomplices.
In a separate operation, the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) foiled a suspected armed robbery in Dutse.
Shiisu said operatives on routine patrol intercepted a suspicious ash-coloured Volkswagen Sharan with registration number ABC 440 KJ, conveying seven occupants. The driver allegedly ignored a stop order and sped off, leading to a chase.
The suspects reportedly opened fire on the police after stopping at Baranda bush but fled into the bush when officers responded.
During a search of the vehicle, one injured suspect was found inside and taken to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Tijjani Murtala, commended the operatives for their professionalism and swift response, urging residents to continue providing credible information to support crime prevention across the state.
