The Kaduna State Police Command said it arrested a 23-year-old Shuaiabu Bala from Malanta, Gimba Village and 22-year-old Safinu Musa from Bugau Village, Anchau in Kubau local government area of the state.
Police said the suspects had during interrogation, confessed to the crime as investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.
The Command’s spokesperson, ASP Munsir Hassan who disclosed this in a statement said the arrest followed the order of the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Audu Ali Dabigi charging operatives to continue the clampdown on kidnappers and their informants in the state.
ASP Hassan explained that the Divisional Police Officer of Maigana on the 15th of June, 2024, at about 18:10 hour received intelligence from a concerned citizen regarding a group of kidnappers planning to collect ransom from the relatives of their victim.
Acting swiftly, the DPO mobilised his patrol team and some members of the local vigilante group to the location and the operation resulted in the arrest of both suspects.
He further said that in continuation of the clampdown on kidnappers and their informants within Kaduna State, a significant breakthrough was achieved on June 17, 2024 upon a credible intelligence received by the DPO of Tafa, who also reported that some suspected kidnappers were sighted roaming around Tafa Town.
“At about 1700 hours, the DPO immediately mobilised 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,” Hassan said.
He named the three suspects as Sani Amadu, male, 17 years; Sani Lawal, male, 20 years; and 22 years old Aliyu Usman, all residents of Dadin Kowa in Tafa local government area of Niger State.
“During the course of the investigation, incriminating evidence, including pictures and videos of banditry activities, was discovered on their cell phones,” adding that upon completion of the preliminary investigation, the case will be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for further action.
In the same vein, Hassan added that based on cultivated intelligence on June 13, 2024 at about 1600 hours, a suspected criminal element was sighted at Kachia Road by the Railway Station Roundabout in Kaduna with a 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) mobilised to the scene. The operatives arrested one Chinago Harrison, male, of Manya Street, Ungwan Romi, Kaduna.They recovered a black Toyota Land Cruiser Jeep, 2013 model, with registration number KTU 886 JD, chassis number JTMHY7AJXD4017043, and engine number 3UR3151879,” Hassan said.
He added that preliminary investigations revealed that the vehicle was stolen from Sir Dingshegyuan Plastic Processing and Manufacturing Company Limited, located at the Interchange in Shagamu, Ogun State.
He said that the suspect will be handed over to the Ogun State Police Command for further investigations.
Hassan pledged the commitment of the Kaduna State Police Command to ensure the safety and security of all residents as the state’s Commissioner of Police urged the public to continue their support by reporting suspicious activities to the nearest police station.