By Mohammad Tijani
The Police Command in Kaduna State said its operatives have detained five suspected kidnappers, a spiritualist, a notorious car snatcher and recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux vehicle and other items.
This was stated in a statement issued by the command's spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, while confirming the developments in Kaduna on Tuesday.
“On November 5, at around 0400 hours, Anti-Kidnapping Unit operatives led by their officer-in-charge carried out a targeted operation in Kundun village,” Hasan said.
“This led to the arrest of Umar Haruna, Shuaibu Umar and Heratu Muntari alias Talatu of Kundun village.”
He said the primary target of the operation was Haruna and the suspected gang leader, who is still at large.
“The investigation revealed that Shuaibu Umar was allegedly invited to participate in a future operation the suspects were planning,” Hassan said.
According to him, during interrogation, the suspects confessed to their role in a series of kidnappings.
“They also revealed their intention to kidnap a resident of Marban Yakawada,” he said.
Hassan further said that the investigation revealed that ransom obtained from previous kidnappings was used to purchase bags of maize, which were later recovered as exhibits.
“Apart from the arrest, the operatives also captured a fourth suspect, Abubakar, who worked as a cattle herder for the gang,” he said.
Hassan said they also recovered eight cows, seven calves and eight sheep linked to the gang's activities.
“On October 31, a resident of Aghaji village reported that his 3-year-old daughter had gone missing and was nowhere to be found,” the spokesperson said.
He said the next day, he received a call from an unknown person demanding a ransom of N2m for his safe return.
“The ransom was paid, after which the child was released.
“Upon receiving the report, on November 3, detectives from Saminaka Division immediately launched an investigation.
“Through diligent tracking and intelligence gathering, the authorities captured the suspect, identified as Isa Sadu of Aghaji village, on November 8,” he said.
Hassan said that during interrogation, Sadu confessed to the kidnapping.
He said items recovered from the suspect included a Gionee mobile phone, N400,000, a boxer motorcycle, a bicycle and a bag of rice.
He also disclosed that police operatives have also arrested a second suspect, Malam Mohammed Usman, a resident of Agazi village, who allegedly provided spiritual assistance to the suspect in committing the crime.
“On November 8, at about 20:10 hours, acting on credible intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tafa Division led his officers and executed a planned operation, resulting in the death of 50 people,” Hassan said. One year old Rotimi Oyewale was arrested. Ejigbo, Tafa in Lagos State, Kaduna State.”
He said operatives recovered a Toyota Hilux from the suspect, who later confessed to stealing the vehicle from Ado Ekiti.
According to the suspect, he was going to deliver the stolen vehicle to a buyer in Kaduna who agreed to buy it for the sum of N2.5 million.
“The suspect has previously admitted to stealing three other vehicles, including a Toyota Camry, often referred to as “Big for Nothing,” and a green Toyota Corolla Sport.
“These vehicles were also allegedly handed over to the same buyer.
“Efforts are ongoing to trace and apprehend the receiver, who is believed to be part of a wider criminal network involved in the sale and distribution of stolen vehicles in Kaduna State and surrounding areas,” Hassan said.
He said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, has commended the officers for the good work.
He also assured the public that the command is committed to dismantling all kidnappers, bandits and other criminal networks across the state.(NAN)
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