Six arrested over alleged child abduction for ritual in Gombe

Six suspects have been arrested by security operatives in connection with the alleged abduction of a six-year-old boy, Habibu Appolos, from Nyuwar Village in Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State.

Sources said the child was reportedly abducted by unknown persons in August 2025.

He was later found on January 22, 2026, in the custody of a 14-year-old girl, Zubaina Abubakar, from Kumuru via Nyuwar.

During interrogation, Zubaina allegedly implicated several individuals, including Oborona Obidah, 28, who was said to have handed the child over to her grandparents, and Habiba Isa, 45, from Lafiya, Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

Habiba was reportedly the one who instructed Zubaina to take the child to Gidado Ibrahim, 30, of Sibo Village.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects allegedly conspired to abduct the child for ritual purposes.

Among those arrested is Yunusa Kura, 45, of Kumtur Village, who police identified as the alleged ritualist.

The police confirmed that all suspects are currently in custody, while investigations into the case are ongoing.