The Nigeria Police Force has arrested suspects linked to an alleged staged kidnapping involving a two-year-old child, while also uncovering a suspected kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate in a separate investigation.

The Force said operatives of its Intelligence Response Team carried out the arrests following two intelligence-led investigations.

In the first case, the police arrested 34-year-old Nansik Wuyep Sule over the reported kidnapping of two-year-old Rito Jesse Davou.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Ani Iniedu, investigations revealed that Sule allegedly conspired with the child's biological mother, Catherine Davou, to stage the kidnapping and make it appear as though the child had been abducted.

The suspects allegedly demanded an initial ransom of ₦7 million, which was later increased to ₦15 million.

The police said further investigations revealed that the child had been kept at Sule's residence.

Another suspect, Luka Emmanuel Butdam, was also arrested for allegedly making ransom-related calls to the child's grandmother.

The child was eventually located and rescued safely. Police said he received medical attention before being reunited with his biological father.

Meanwhile, in a separate investigation, IRT operatives arrested Idris Mohammed, popularly known as Yellow, and Mohammed Bello Adams over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of commercial driver Idris Zakari Baba and other criminal activities.

According to the police, Baba was allegedly lured under the guise of transporting Mohammed from Abuja to Zaria before armed men intercepted him and took him into a bush.

The victim was reportedly held captive until a ransom of ₦3 million was paid.

Police said Baba's 2012 Toyota Corolla was later traced to Bauchi State, where it was recovered while Mohammed was allegedly attempting to sell it.

Investigators also allegedly linked the suspects to the reported kidnapping of Pastor David Dahni and his driver, Abdullahi Abubakar.

The police said a ransom of ₦10.5 million was reportedly paid in connection with that case.

“The Nigeria Police Force continues to investigate the cases to identify other persons connected to the criminal activities and establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement,” the statement said.

The Force added that investigations were ongoing to identify other individuals who may be connected to the alleged crimes and determine the full extent of the suspects' involvement.