The Borno State police command says it has arrested Ali Alhaji Ali, a suspected kidnapper and rescued Alkali Musa, a six-year-old boy who went missing on Saturday in the Mafoni area of Maiduguri.

This was disclosed on Monday by the command’s spokesman, Nahum Daso, in a statement, noting that the command received a report of a missing child on June 7, 2026.

“On 7th June, 2026, at about 1400hrs, the command received a report regarding a missing child, one Alkali Musa, a six-year-old boy of Mafoni Area, Maiduguri, who had gone out to play on 6th June, 2026, but failed to return home. 

“Preliminary investigation revealed that shortly after the child’s disappearance, the suspect contacted the parents and demanded a ransom of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (₦200,000) for the child’s release,” Mr Daso said.

He added that upon receiving the complaint, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Lamisula Division promptly mobilised a team of detectives and commenced an intelligence-led operation. 

According to him, the efforts yielded positive results as the suspect was apprehended and the victim was rescued unharmed.

“The suspect has confessed to the crime, and the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and possible prosecution,” he stated.

Mr Daso further urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and closely monitor their children, while encouraging members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station.