The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a nursing officer and a woman over the alleged abduction of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy from the paediatric ward of Babura General Hospital. The child has since been rescued and is safe.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Shi’isu Adam, confirmed the arrests on Thursday.

According to Adam, the command swung into action after a distress call from the hospital about the missing child.

“Acting on credible intelligence, our operatives tracked the female suspect to the outskirts of the town,” he said.

The suspect, identified as 20-year-old Khadija Aliyu of Kinkinau Quarters, Kaduna State, was arrested with the child in her possession.

The second suspect, 25-year-old Sadik Sale Yahaya of Zango Quarters, Gumel, a nursing officer attached to Babura General Hospital, was also picked up. Police say he allegedly conspired with the woman to carry out the act.

Adam said preliminary investigation revealed that the female suspect planned to take the toddler to an orphanage in Kaduna and sell him for ₦2 million.

“She confessed during interrogation that she intended to sell the child for two million naira,” the PPRO said, adding that detectives were still probing the full details of the conspiracy.

The rescued boy has been placed in protective custody and will be reunited with his family after due verification.

Both suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to determine if others were involved.

“The command will not relent in pursuing all leads to ensure that anyone found culpable is brought to justice,” Adam added.

The Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State Command, CP Tijjani Murtala, commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism, which led to the recovery of the child.

He also urged residents to provide timely information to help the police prevent crime across the state.