The Nigeria Police Force has recorded another breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping and violent crimes with the arrest of two suspects accused of masterminding the abduction of a family member and collecting over N6 million in ransom payments.
Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the suspects have been charged with criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms linked to a violent syndicate operating in Kaduna State and neighbouring communities.
According to the police, the suspects identified as Yusuf Rabo and Musa Adamu were arrested following investigations into the abduction of Alhaji Rabo Jelani.
Investigations revealed that Yusuf Rabo allegedly conspired with Musa Adamu and Ali Haruna, the victim’s grandson who is currently on the run, to kidnap the elderly man over claims that he possessed substantial wealth and livestock.
The police said further investigations showed that the syndicate acquired and used several AK-47 rifles for their operations. Ali Haruna was alleged to have supplied one of the rifles belonging to his father, while other firearms were sourced by members of the gang.
“One AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered during the operation,” the statement added.
The Force Headquarters disclosed that the victim was abducted on separate occasions and taken to forest hideouts where ransom negotiations were allegedly coordinated by Yusuf Rabo himself.
Police investigations showed that the first abduction yielded a ransom payment of ₦2 million, while a second operation brought in ₦4.5 million.
The suspects were also linked to other violent crimes in the area, including the kidnapping of a trader identified as Mr. Iyke and an armed robbery attack along the Kagoma axis, where commuters were reportedly dispossessed of cash and valuables.
The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect, Ali Haruna, and recover additional weapons and other exhibits connected to the crimes.
The Force Headquarters reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling kidnapping and armed robbery networks across the country through sustained intelligence-led operations against violent criminal groups.
