14-year-old girl plots sister’s kidnap, fakes own abduction – Police

In a startling development, the Katsina State Police Command has uncovered a kidnapping syndicate involving a 14-year-old girl who conspired with three others to abduct her four-year-old sister while also faking her own abduction in an elaborate scheme to extort a N50 million ransom from their family.

The disturbing revelation was made public on Wednesday by the spokesperson of the Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, during a press briefing that detailed the Command’s activities for the month of May.

According to Sadiq, the case was first reported on February 20, 2025, by one Alhaji Badamasi Bala of Madaci Yan Nono Quarters in Katsina.

Bala informed the police that his two daughters, aged 14 and 4, had gone missing under suspicious circumstances, and the family soon received a ransom demand of N50 million from unknown abductors.

Upon receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Shehu, immediately directed the Command’s anti-kidnapping unit to launch a thorough investigation. Officers acted swiftly, initiating a comprehensive search and intelligence-gathering operation.

Sadiq disclosed that four months later, the 14-year-old daughter resurfaced. Upon interrogation, she made a shocking confession — admitting that she had orchestrated the kidnapping of her younger sister in collaboration with three accomplices aged 25, 19, and 16.

The teenager also confessed to faking her own kidnapping to strengthen the illusion and pressure her family into paying the ransom.

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All three co-conspirators were subsequently tracked down and arrested by the police. The four-year-old victim was safely rescued and reunited with her family, unharmed.

“In the course of the investigation, one live round of 7.62mm ammunition was recovered from the possession of the syndicate,” Sadiq revealed, noting the seriousness and potential danger of the criminal gang’s operations.

The suspects, including the 14-year-old girl, have all reportedly confessed to the crime and are currently in police custody. Legal proceedings are expected to follow.

Commissioner Bello Shehu commended the swift and effective efforts of the anti-kidnapping unit and urged citizens to remain vigilant.

He encouraged the public to report any suspicious behavior promptly to support the ongoing fight against crime in the state.

“This case underscores the need for increased community awareness and parental engagement in the lives of our children,” CP Shehu added.