Police operatives in Kaduna State have apprehended six suspected kidnappers, a cattle rustler, and several vandals, recovering a locally made firearm and charms in the process.
The Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent Mansir Hassan disclosed that the arrests were made through targeted operations by Operation Fushin Kada personnel, acting on credible intelligence.
On 12 November 2024, police operatives led by SP Usman Namai Bindiga arrested four members of a high-profile kidnapping syndicate operating across Rahama Village and Dutsen Wai Village in Kaduna.
The suspects, identified as Yahaya Abdullahi, Shamsu Ibrahim, Linus Obasi, and Hauwa Mohammed, were taken into custody in Dutsen Wai Village, Kubau Local Government Area.
During interrogation, Yahaya Abdullahi confessed to conspiring with Shamsu Ibrahim to kidnap a female victim from Rahama Village. The victim was held at Linus Obasi’s brothel in Gidan Dogo under the care of Hauwa Mohammed. She was released after four days following the payment of a ₦3 million ransom.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate and recover their weapons.
On 6 November 2024, officers tracked and arrested two other kidnapping suspects, Surajo Hassan and Abdulhadir Usman, in Ikara Local Government Area. The duo confessed to participating in multiple armed robberies and kidnappings, including the abduction of a victim who was held for 60 days and released only after a ransom of ₦8 million was paid.
Both suspects admitted to receiving ₦1 million each as their share of the ransom. Investigations are ongoing to capture their accomplices.
On November 13, 2024, police arrested 27-year-old Audu Abdullahi in Kujama, Kaduna. The suspect confessed to being part of a cattle rustling syndicate that operated with AK-47 rifles and other dangerous weapons. A search operation in a nearby bush led to the recovery of a locally made firearm and charms.
Responding to a distress call from the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS), officers intercepted a group vandalizing armored cable wires at the Kaduna State Trade Fair Complex. Three suspects, Salisu Mohammed, Mohammed Abubakar, and Aliyu Isah, were arrested.
The suspects confessed to being members of a syndicate specializing in cable theft and identified two accomplices, Abubakar Garba and Isiaku Abdullahi, as their receivers. The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of the receivers, who also confessed to their roles in the operation.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Abdullahi commended the efforts of Operation Fushin Kada personnel and reiterated the command’s dedication to ensuring public safety and protecting infrastructure.
The arrested suspects are set to face charges upon the completion of preliminary investigations.
