Five notorious kidnapping suspects and one suspected car thief have been arrested by the Kaduna State Police operatives who also recovered a Toyota Land Cruiser.
A statement issued by the State Command spokesman, ASP Mansir Hassan, on Thursday said, “On the 15th of June, 2024, at about 18:10 hours, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Maigana received intelligence from a concerned citizen regarding a group of kidnappers planning to collect ransom money from the relatives of their victim.
“Acting swiftly, the DPO mobilized his patrol team and some members of the local vigilante group to the location. The operation resulted in the successful arrest of the suspects, Shuaiabu Bala, 23 years old, male, from Malanta, Gimba Village, and Safinu Musa, 22 years old, male, from Bugau Village, Anchau, Kubau L.G.A.”
The statement explained that during interrogation, both suspects confessed to the crime, saying that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the kidnapping gang.
In continuation of the ongoing clampdown on kidnappers and their informants within Kaduna State, the statement said that a significant breakthrough was achieved on June 17, 2024. Acting on credible intelligence received by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tafa, it was reported that some suspected kidnappers were sighted roaming around Tafa Town.
It said that at about 1700 hours, the DPO immediately mobilized and led a surveillance team, in conjunction with the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) of Tafa, to the scene. As a result of this swift action, three suspected kidnappers were arrested and brought to the station.
“The suspects have been identified as Sani Amadu (male, 17 years), Sani Lawal (male, 20 years), and Aliyu Usman (male, 22 years), all residents of Dadin Kowa, Tafa Local Government Area, Niger State,” the statement explained.
The statement observed that during the course of the investigation, incriminating evidence, including pictures and videos of banditry activities, was discovered on their cell phones. It pointed out that upon completion of the preliminary investigation, the case will be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further action.
In the same vein, the statement said, “On June 13, 2024, at about 1600 hours, based on cultivated intelligence, a criminal element was sighted at Kachia Road by the Railway Station Roundabout in Kaduna with a motor vehicle strongly suspected to be stolen. Acting swiftly on the information, a team from the Anti-Car Theft Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) mobilized to the scene. The operatives arrested one Chinago Harrison, male, of Manya Street, Ungwan Romi, Kaduna.”
It explained that the operatives recovered a black Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep, 2013 model, with registration number KTU 886 JD, chassis number JTMHY7AJXD4017043, and engine number 3UR3151879, adding that preliminary investigations have revealed that the vehicle was stolen from Sir Dingshegyuan Plastic Processing and Manufacturing Company Limited, located at the Interchange in Shagamu, Ogun State.
According to the statement, “The suspect will be handed over to Ogun State Police Command for further investigations.”
It said that the Kaduna State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi, urged the public to continue their support by reporting any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
