● Police confirm abduction as father says caller phoned from Erena forest asking for money to release Umaru and Anas
A Sallah celebration meant for family time ended in trauma for a Minna businessman after his private security guard allegedly abducted his six-year-old twin sons and called hours later to demand ransom.
The suspect, identified as Sani Abdulrahaman, a Fulani man, disappeared with Umaru and Anas Danjuma on Sunday, May 31, after telling their father, Alhaji Danjuma, he was taking them for “Sallah picnic” in town. He did not return.
—“He never came back”—
Alhaji Danjuma, a businessman in Minna, told reporters he raised the alarm immediately and is now begging the public and security agencies to help locate the children and the fleeing guard.
The twist came Sunday evening when Danjuma said he received a call from someone claiming to be in Erena forest, Shiroro Local Government Area, with the twins. The caller demanded an undisclosed ransom before releasing the boys, he said.
—Police confirm abduction—
Niger State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
“The security man pretended that he was taking the children for Sallah celebration in the town, but did not return,” Abiodun said.
He said police suspect abduction and have launched a manhunt. “Investigation has commenced and efforts to locate the children are ongoing,” the PPRO added.
—Pattern of “trusted insider” abductions—
The incident adds to growing concern over crimes involving domestic staff and private guards. Security analysts have repeatedly warned employers to vet domestic workers, restrict unsupervised access to children, and install basic tracking/safety protocols.
Erena forest in Shiroro LGA has been flagged in multiple security reports as a bandit hideout. Its mention in the ransom call suggests possible links to organized kidnapping gangs operating along the Niger-Kaduna corridor.
–‘What happens next–
Police say efforts are underway to track the suspect and secure the boys’ release. Alhaji Danjuma has appealed directly to Nigerians with information to come forward.
For now, the Danjuma family’s Sallah is on hold – replaced by prayers, police calls, and the desperate hope that Umaru and Anas return home unharmed. [Culled from AriseTV]
