[News] Kano police arrest 16 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and 24-year-old man who faked own kidnap and demanded N600k ransom from his family

“Following a report of kidnapping by one Yusuf Isah, ‘m’, of PRP Bus Stop Kano on 18/12/2023 at about 0800, who said his brother, Usman Nasiru, aged 24 years, ‘m’, of the same address, left home and did not return until on 19/12/2023 when there was a follow-ups phone call received by Hajiya Suwaiba Yusha’u, the mother of Usman Nasiru, from the supposed victim claiming that he was kidnapped and a ransom of six hundred thousand (N600,000:00) was demanded for his release,” the CP said.

“On receipt of the report, teams of operatives from the Anti-kidnapping unit of the command swung into action and rescued the victim. Further investigation revealed that the victim criminally falsified the kidnapping and conspired with the following suspects: Dahiru Suleiman Alias scorpion, aged 27 years, ‘m’,  Nasiru Snu Alias Teacher, ‘m’, now at large, who alongside one other person, kept the victim in their room and demanded the ransom. The suspects confessed to the crime with the investigation in progress.”

The CP said operatives of the command also arrested a teenage boy, Salisu Adamu, who kidnapped his neighbour’s 3-year-old son in Danbatta Local Govt Area of the state and demanded N1m ransom.

“On 19/12/2023, Aminu Garba, aged 35 years, ‘m’, of Danbatta LGA reported that on 16/12/2023 at about 18:30, his 3-year-old son, Auwalu Aminu, of the same address went missing,” the police boss stated.

“All efforts to trace or know his whereabouts proved abortive until 17/12/2023 when he received an anonymous phone call claiming responsibility for the kidnap of the child and demanding a ransom of one million naira (N1,000,000:00). Concerted follow-up by police operatives led to the arrest of Salisu Adamu, aged 18 years, ‘m’, of the same address.

“On investigation, the suspect confessed that he singlehandedly carried out the kidnapping and led the operatives to where the victim was kept in seclusion in Gwale LGA Kano and was rescued accordingly. In a subsequent action, the victim was taken to hospital where he received medical attention and got united with his family members. The suspect will soon be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,”

Police operatives further arrested two members of kidnapping gang terrorizing parts of Bebeji Local Government Area of the state.

“While acting on credible intelligence received on 23/12/2023 at about 13:00, operatives of the Anti-kidnapping unit of the command arrested suspects around Bagauda/Gargai Forest and were found in possession of a locally made AK-47 rifle and a revolver gun,” Gumel stated.

“During the investigation, the suspects confessed to being part of a series of kidnapping activities around Bebeji and surrounding areas. They suspects are: Safiyanu Alhaji Hudu, aged 22 years, ‘m’ and Abdullahi Haruna Alias Datti, aged 23 years, ‘m’, both of Tiga Town, Bebeji LGA, Kano State. The case is under investigation,”

The Commissioner the command dismantled a cross-border motor vehicles armed robbery syndicate of which during the last five days, arrested a total of eleven suspects and recovered five stolen vehicles from them.

“On 24/12/23 at about 05:50, a distress call was received at the command control room that on the same date at about 04:30, a residence located at Yahaya Gusau Road Sharada was under siege by armed robbers,” he stated.

“Consequently, a team of operatives responded quickly and identified the resident of one Yusuf Baba Wapa. They found him already tied up with a rope. The armed robbers also made away with two of his vehicles: a Toyota Rav-4 Black in colour, a 2021 model with Reg No. KAR 962 BZ, and the other, a Honda Accord with Reg. No: ABC 303 JP, black in color. In addition, two of his mobile phones were stolen. Combined teams of Police Operatives collectively intensified efforts to trail and arrest the suspects.

“The combined team successfully recovered the two vehicles, with one of the suspects, Gambo Fahad, arrested after a hot chase, while Nafi’u Umar escaped and abandoned the second stolen vehicle at Jibiya in Katsina State, near the Niger Republic Border.

“During a mop-up action, the Police Command arrested the principal suspect, Sadiq Ismail, aged 20 years, ‘m’, of Rijiyar Lemo Quarters Kano, from whom one Beretta Pistol with 4 rounds of ammunition was recovered.

“Six (6) other accomplices were arrested in the same Gwammaja hideout in Kano Metropolis, where an additional Beretta pistol and 4 rounds of ammunition were also recovered from a neutralized victim after an exchange of fire with the police. All the suspects confessed to the crime and further claimed to have sold many stolen motor vehicles in Niger Republic. The case is under investigation,”

Additionally and in a separate operation another nine suspects were arrested and thirty-nine stolen mobile phones, some stolen motorcycles, thirty-three ATM cards, and some dangerous weapons were recovered from them.