The Police Command in Kaduna State, said its operatives have detained five suspected kidnappers, one spiritualist, one notorious car snatcher and recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux vehicle and other exhibits.
This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson ASP Mansir Hassan, confirming the development in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Hassan said,”On Nov. 5, at about 0400hrs, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by their Officer in charge executed a targeted operation in Kundun village.
”This led to the arrest of Umar Haruna, Shuaibu Umar and Hairatu Muntari aka Talatu of Kundun Village.”
He explained that the primary target of the operation was Haruna and the suspected gang leader, who remains at large.
“Investigations revealed that Shuaibu Umar was allegedly invited to participate in a future operation that the suspects were planning,” Hassan said.
According to him, during interrogation, the suspects confessed to their roles in a series of kidnappings.
“They even disclosed their intentions to kidnap a resident of Maraban Yakawada.”he said.
Hassan further said that investigations revealed that ransom obtained from previous kidnappings had been used to purchase bags of maize, which were subsequently recovered as exhibits.
He explained, “In addition to the arrests, the operatives apprehended a fourth suspect, Abubakar, who served as the gang’s cattle rearer.”’
Hassan stated that they have also recovered eight cows, seven calves, and eight sheep connected to the gang’s activities.
The spokesperson said,”On Oct. 31, a resident of Agaji village reported that his 3-year-old daughter went missing and she was nowhere to be found.
”He said the following day, he received a call from an unknown individual demanding a ransom of N2m for her safe return.
“The ransom was paid, after which the child was released.
“Upon receiving the report, on Nov.3, detectives from the Saminaka Division immediately launched an investigation.
”Through diligent tracking and intelligence gathering, the officers apprehended the suspect, identified as Isa Sa’adu, of Agaji village, on November 8, “he added.
Hassan said during interrogation, Sa’adu confessed to the kidnapping.
He said the exhibits recovered from the suspect included one Gionee mobile phone, N400,000, one Boxer motorcycle, one bicycle and one bag of rice.
He also disclosed that police operatives have nabbed a second suspect, Malam Mohammed Usman, also from Agaji village, the marabout who allegedly provided spiritual support to the suspect in carrying out the crime.
Hassan said,”On November 8, at about 20:10 hours, acting on credible intelligence, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tafa Division led his officers and carried out a planned operation resulting in the arrest of 50-year-old Rotimi Oyewale of Ejigbo, Lagos State in Tafa, Kaduna State.”
He said the operatives recovered a Toyota Hilux from the suspect, who later confessed to stealing the vehicle from Ado Ekiti.
According to the suspect, he was en route to deliver the stolen vehicle to a buyer in Kaduna who had agreed to purchase it for the sum of N2.5 million.
“The suspect also admitted to previously 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 reportedly delivered to the same buyer.
”Efforts are ongoing to locate and apprehend the receiver, believed to be part of a broader criminal network involved in the sale and distribution of stolen vehicles in Kaduna state and surrounding regions, “Hassan said.
He said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, has commended the officers for a job well done .
He also assured the public that the command remained committed to dismantling all kidnappers,bandits and other criminal networks across the state.
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