Katsina Police Bust 14-Year-Old Girl’s Plot to Kidnap Her Own Sister for N50m Ransom

katsinaA kidnapping plot straight out of a crime thriller has been uncovered in Katsina, where a 14-year-old girl conspired with three accomplices to kidnap her 4-year-old sister — and fake her own abduction — in a bid to extort N50 million from their father.

The shocking scheme was revealed by the Katsina State Police Command on Wednesday during a press briefing on its May operations.

Police spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq said the case was reported on February 20, 2025, by Alhaji Badamasi Bala of Madaci Yan Nono Quarters, who told authorities that both of his daughters had been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding N50 million in ransom.

However, after four months of investigation, the 14-year-old resurfaced and cracked under questioning.

“She confessed to conspiring with three others — aged 25, 19, and 16 — to kidnap her younger sister and stage her own abduction,” Sadiq said.

Police operatives arrested all suspects and successfully rescued the 4-year-old girl unharmed. During the operation, one live round of 7.62mm ammunition was also recovered from the syndicate.

Commissioner of Police CP Bello Shehu praised the swift work of the anti-kidnapping unit and urged residents to report suspicious activity.

“This case highlights how criminal influence is seeping into our youth. We call on parents, schools, and communities to strengthen moral guidance,” Shehu said.

The suspects are now in custody and will be charged to court.