The Adamawa State Police Command has rescued a 12-year-old girl, Mercy Kefas, who was reported missing in Guyuk Local Government Area of the state, and arrested a 20-year-old woman, identified as Jamila Yusuf, 20, of Lafiya Village, via Balanga Local Government Area of Gombe State, who was suspected of abducting her.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
Nguroje said the incident was reported at the Guyuk Divisional Police Headquarters on September 18 by the victim’s mother, Mrs Mary Felix, of Birsinsin, Guyuk LGA.
According to him, the girl was reported missing and was later sighted in the company of an unidentified woman heading towards the Balanga/Talasse axis.
He said the Police immediately launched a coordinated operation to locate the child while information was circulated to neighbouring communities and relevant police formations.
The effort, he added, led to the rescue of the girl and the arrest of the suspect around the Talasse border area.
Nguroje said the rescued girl had been reunited with her family, while the suspect remained in police custody.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Adamawa State Command, Kabir Umar Hassan, commended the officers involved for their prompt response and professionalism.
The Commissioner, according to the statement, directed the State Criminal Investigation Department to take over the case and conduct a discreet investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The command assured residents that it would continue to work closely with communities to prevent child abduction and other criminal activities.
It also urged parents, guardians and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report missing children and suspicious movements to the nearest police formation.
