The Katsina State Police Command has announced the arrest of a three-man kidnap syndicate following coordinated operations in Dutsin-Ma and Kankia Local Government Areas.
In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, named the suspects as Sani, 22, described as an informant; Kabir, 22; and Salisu, 22.
“During preliminary investigation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the offence,” the statement read, noting that Sani admitted to conspiring with his co-suspects to kidnap his own grandfather, Alhaji Lawal, about three weeks ago. The elderly victim spent 16 days in captivity before he was released following the payment of a ₦3,000,000 ransom.
“The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to unravel their wider criminal network,” the statement added.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Ali Umar Fage, commended the operatives involved. “I commend the gallantry and professionalism of the operatives,” he said, reaffirming “the Command’s commitment to sustaining the onslaught against criminal elements in the State.”
He further urged residents to continue supporting the police with useful information. “I urge members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Command for prompt and decisive action,” Fage said.
In a related security update, the Niger State Police Command said it had rescued two abducted victims and eliminated three suspected kidnappers during a rescue operation in Wawa Forest, New-Bussa, following a distress report from Wako Village.
According to the Command, its surveillance team, working alongside local vigilantes, engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle. “Our surveillance team, in collaboration with vigilantes, engaged the three suspected kidnappers in a gun battle leading to the rescue of the victims unhurt,” a police source said, adding that other members of the gang fled the scene with bullet injuries.
In a separate but related development, the Command disclosed the arrest of one Yahuza Bature in Minna, who was apprehended in possession of a motorcycle allegedly stolen from a victim after he collected ₦800,000 from her under the false pretence of supplying gold items.
Police in both states say investigations are ongoing, with authorities reiterating their resolve to crack down on kidnapping and other violent crimes across the region.
