Police arrest five kidnappers, spiritualist, recover stolen vehicle

Security operatives in Kaduna have arrested five kidnappers, a spiritualist, and a notorious car thief, while also recovering a stolen Toyota Hilux vehicle, after raiding a criminal hideout in the state.

The Kaduna Police Command issued a statement on Tuesday evening, confirming that the operation targeted terrorists and other criminal elements in their dens to cleanse the state of criminal activities.

According to the police spokesman, ASP Mansir Hassan, on November 5, 2024, at about 0400hrs, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by their OC executed a targeted operation in Kundun Village, which led to the arrest of Umar Haruna, Shuaibu Umar, and Hairatu Muntari aka Talatu of Kundun Village.

He added, “The primary target of the operation was Umar Haruna, the suspected gang leader, who remains at large. Investigations revealed that Shuaibu Umar had been invited to participate in a planned future operation.”

During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in a series of kidnappings and disclosed plans to kidnap a resident of Maraban Yakawada. Further investigations revealed that ransom money from previous kidnappings had been used to purchase bags of maize, which were recovered as evidence.

Hassan said, “The operatives arrested a third suspect, Abubakar, who acted as the gang’s cattle rearer. They recovered eight cows, seven calves, and eight sheep linked to the gang’s activities.”

On 31st October 2024, a resident of Agaji Village reported that his three-year-old daughter had gone missing. The next day, he received a ransom demand of two million naira (N2,000,000) for her safe return, which was paid on 2nd November 2024, after which the child was released.

The Saminaka Division detectives launched an investigation and, on 8th November 2024, arrested Isa Sa’adu, 25, from Agaji Village. Sa’adu confessed to the kidnapping during interrogation. “The following items obtained from the ransom proceeds were recovered from the suspect: One Gionee mobile phone, N400,000 in cash, a Boxer motorcycle, a bicycle, and a bag of rice,” Hassan said.

The police also arrested a second suspect, Malam Mohammed Sani Usman, 35, a marabout from Agaji Village, who allegedly provided spiritual support for the crime. Further investigation is ongoing.

In a separate operation on 8th November 2024, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tafa led officers to arrest 50-year-old Rotimi Oyewale from Ejigbo, Lagos State, in Tafa, Kaduna State. The officers recovered a Toyota Hilux from the suspect, who confessed to stealing the vehicle in Ado Ekiti. Oyewale was en route to deliver the stolen vehicle to a buyer in Kaduna for N2.5 million.

The suspect further admitted to previously stealing three other vehicles, including a Toyota Camry and a green Toyota Corolla Sport, which were also delivered to the same buyer. The police are working to apprehend the receiver, believed to be part of a broader criminal network involved in the sale of stolen vehicles in Kaduna State and neighboring regions.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Abdullahi, commended the officers for their efforts and assured the public that the Command remains committed to dismantling all kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal networks across the state.

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