Monday, May 25, 2026 - The Katsina State Police Command says it will arraign a neighbour to the family of an eight-year-old boy and five other suspects who were arrested over the child’s abduction in the Katsina metropolis.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Aliyu,
disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the suspects were arrested by the newly
established Violent Crime Response Unit of the command.
He noted that on May 13, the boy (identity undisclosed) was
returning from an Islamic school when he was abducted, and the suspects
contacted the boy’s family the following day to demand N50m ransom.
Aliyu noted that following negotiations with the kidnappers,
the family paid a ransom of N17m, and the boy was released.
He stated, “On 13th May, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m., the
victim (name withheld) was kidnapped while returning from an Islamic school.
Later, the following day, the suspects contacted the family and demanded
N50,000,000 ransom. Following negotiations, N17,000,000 was paid to secure the
release of the victim.
“Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the newly
established Violent Crime Response Unit of the command swung into action.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked and arrested 6 members of
the syndicate today, May 23, 2026.”
He identified the suspects as Nura Aliyu, age 39, identified
as the mastermind and a neighbor to the victim’s family; Abubakar Aminu, age
37; Ibrahim Muhammad, age 51; Iliyasu Sani, age 51; Abubakar Muhammad, age 27;
and Abdullahi Isma’il, age 30.
Aliyu noted that the suspects confessed to the crime and
identified another suspect who is currently at large, adding that exhibits were
recovered from the suspects.
“While interrogating the suspects, they confessed to the
commission of the offence and mentioned one Abdul, currently at large, as their
accomplice. A manhunt is ongoing for the fleeing suspect.
“During the investigation, 1 Peugeot 307, 1 Boxer
motorcycle, and a cash sum of N7,500,000, being part of the ransom money, were
recovered from the suspects as exhibits, among others,” Aliyu added.
He concluded that the suspects would be charged in court
upon the conclusion of the investigations.
“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Ali
Fage, commended the operatives for the swift operation and assured the public
of the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“The suspects will be charged in court upon completion of
the investigation. Further developments will be communicated in due course,”
Aliyu concluded.
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