The Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended five individuals in connection with the abduction and tragic killing of a one-year-old girl, Sakina Mamuda, in Duhun Bake village, Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The arrest was disclosed on Thursday by the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isah Dederi, during a press conference at the Government House in Kano.
According to Dederi, the suspects—Zailani Rabiu, Hafizu Yusuf, Abubakar Abdulkareem, Umar Lawan, and Amadu Salisu—are residents of the same community as the victim. They reportedly kidnapped the child, demanded ransom from her family, and later killed her in cold blood.
“After collecting the ransom, they heartlessly killed the innocent girl and dumped her body in an abandoned open well,” Dederi revealed. “Their actions are beyond comprehension and deeply disturbing.”
He added that the suspects are currently in custody and are being investigated for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, and homicide. He assured the public that the government is committed to ensuring swift and thorough prosecution of the case.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, who was briefed on the arrest, expressed sorrow over the incident and praised the DSS and other security agencies for their swift action.
“This is a tragedy that has shaken us deeply. We commend the DSS for moving quickly and decisively to arrest the suspects,” the governor stated. “Justice will be served, and we will not rest until those responsible are held fully accountable.”
The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to strengthen the state’s security framework through better intelligence gathering and inter-agency cooperation.