TheCable

The Bauchi police command says its operatives have arrested a 12-year-old boy for allegedly kidnapping a three-year-old girl in the state.

In a statement on Saturday, Ahmad Wakil, Bauchi police spokesman, said the suspect kidnapped the child in Magama Gumau community in Toro LGA of the state.

Wakil said the suspect lured the victim into an isolated area and placed a telephone call to her father, demanding N150,000 as ransom.

“A discreet investigation revealed that the suspect lured the victim to an isolated place near a football field at Kara Area of Magama Gumau and called the victim’s father on phone and made the demand,” the Bauchi police PRO said.

“On hearing the demand, the victim’s father hung up and refused to take subsequent calls.

“After a while, the victim’s father called the suspect and identified him through his familiar voice.

“He called his name, but the suspect kept mute, hung up, swiftly took the girl to her parent’s house where he told the family that he sighted her crying near a football field.”

Wakil said the family of the victim reported the incident to the police, adding that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and said he planned to use the ransom to buy clothes and phones.

“Investigation also showed that the suspect got to know about kidnapping for ransom when some time ago, his friend was kidnapped in Kano State,” the statement reads.

“Those who kidnapped his friend were paid ransom before he was released and that was how the suspect learned that money must be paid to set a kidnap victim free.”

Commenting on the development, Aminu Alhassan, said members of the public should endeavour to keep a close eye on their children.