Police in Nasarawa arrested 22-year-old Aisha Hashiru for attempting to abduct three siblings in Mararaba. Case transferred to SCID for investigation.
The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old woman, identified as Aisha Hashiru, for allegedly attempting to abduct and traffic three children in Mararaba, Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police (SP) Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the development in a statement released on Friday, September 5, in Lafia.
According to him, the incident occurred on the evening of Thursday, September 4, at the popular Orange Market in Mararaba.
A distress call was received by the police at about 5:45 p.m., reporting that the suspect had been apprehended by members of the public while attempting to abduct three siblings.
Investigations so far revealed that the suspect allegedly sneaked into the home of one Ramatu Auwal at Orange Market around 5:00 p.m. and lured her three children — two girls and a boy, aged four, five, and six — out of the house.
The suspect reportedly promised to buy the minors biscuits as a way of enticing them. She was intercepted by a vigilant neighbour who noticed her suspicious movement and immediately raised an alarm.
The alarm attracted residents of the area who quickly gathered and apprehended the suspect.
In the process, an angry mob attempted to lynch her before the swift intervention of the police.
SP Nansel explained that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mararaba ‘A’ Division immediately mobilized a patrol team to the scene.
The officers succeeded in rescuing both the suspect and the three children from the mob.
They were thereafter taken to the station to ensure their safety while further investigations commenced.
Following the arrest, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State directed that the case be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia for thorough investigation.
He further ordered intensified policing strategies to unravel other cases of missing children within the state and to strengthen the command’s campaign against human trafficking, child abduction, and other related crimes.
The police authority commended the vigilance of residents whose prompt action prevented the escape of the suspect and the possible trafficking of the children.
The command also used the opportunity to urge members of the public to remain watchful and continue to cooperate with security agencies in exposing suspicious activities.
Reassuring the public of its commitment, the police stated that protecting lives and property remains a top priority, with special emphasis on safeguarding children, who are often the most vulnerable targets of criminal syndicates involved in trafficking and abduction.