Kano Court Remands Three Over Alleged Kidnap and Murder of Child

A Kano State High Court has remanded three defendants in a custodial facility over the alleged kidnapping and murder of a young boy in Rano Local Government Area of Kano State.

The defendants, Hajara Sani, Hayatullah Armayau and Jibin Ado, were arraigned on charges of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and culpable homicide. They all pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them.

The prosecution alleged that Hajara Sani, who worked as a domestic help in the victim’s family home, abducted six-year-old Aliyu Haidar in Gobirawa village, Rano. She was said to have taken the boy to Hayatullah and Jibin, who allegedly conspired with her to demand a ₦2 million ransom from the family. According to the prosecution, when the ransom was not paid, the defendants allegedly killed the child. The court has adjourned the case until December 4, 2026, for the commencement of the hearing of witnesses.

The Rano case is not isolated. Kano has recorded a series of child abduction incidents in recent months, raising concern among parents, community leaders and security agencies. In July, police rescued nine-year-old Ubaiyu Muhammad Sammani after nearly four weeks in captivity and arrested 10 suspects. The kidnappers had demanded $30,000 as ransom. The victim was found unhurt during an intelligence-led operation in Rimin Kebbe.

In April, police also rescued two-year-old Aliyu Muhammad from kidnappers in Gwammaja Quarters after his family paid ₦1 million ransom. Three suspects were arrested, and ₦930,000, believed to be part of the ransom, was recovered. In another case, police arrested three persons over the alleged kidnapping and killing of 14-year-old Abdullahi Sani, son of a neighbour, in Hotoron Fulani Quarters after a ₦4 million ransom demand. In Minjibir, security operatives rescued five-year-old Muhammad Haruna during a raid in Danzaki village after kidnappers demanded ₦15 million.

The repeated cases have raised fears that homes may no longer feel safe if domestic workers, neighbours or acquaintances are used to abduct children for ransom. Parents may become increasingly anxious, while families could lose trust in house helps and close associates.

Community leaders have called for thorough background checks before hiring domestic staff, closer monitoring of neighbourhood activities and prompt reporting of suspicious movements to security agencies.

Security agencies have also been urged to strengthen intelligence-led policing and preventive measures to protect children and dismantle kidnapping networks before more families suffer loss.