Court Remands 25-Year-Old Man Over Alleged Kidnapping of Three Children in Niger State

A Chief Magistrate Court in Minna, Niger State, has ordered the remand of a 25-year-old man, Aminu Ahmed, over allegations of kidnapping.

Ahmed, a resident of GRA Phase 1, Kontagora, is facing two counts of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping, contrary to Sections 60(1) and 250(A) of the Niger State Penal Code Law, 2025.

According to the police, Ahmed was arrested by operatives of the Federal Investigation Department (FID) and the Special Tactical Squad (STS) under the command of CSP Hassan Gimba, in connection with the abduction of a three-year-old boy, Abdullahi Mohammed.

The child’s father, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, reported him missing and later received a ransom demand of ₦10 million. Police investigations revealed that Ahmed allegedly conspired with others to abduct the child and move him to Bannie, Kwara State.

It was further alleged that Ahmed collected ₦350,000 through a point-of-sale (POS) account before the child was released at Kaboji village in Kontagora, Niger State.

Further investigations linked the suspect to two additional kidnapping cases involving Haidar Alhaji Mustapha and four-year-old Abubakar Bashir, reportedly abducted in May and December 2024. A total ransom of ₦1.4 million was allegedly demanded in those cases.

Police said the proceeds were used to support his mother’s business, purchase a motorcycle, and build a house.

The presiding Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Hadiza Hamza Imam, ruled that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter and ordered that the case file be forwarded to the Attorney General of Niger State for legal advice. The case was adjourned until January 21, 2026, for further proceedings.