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Jigawa State Police Command, yesterday, said they have arrested four members of a gang who specialised in kidnapping in various parts of the state.
The command’s spokesman, ASP Lawal Shi’isu Ahmad, in a statement yesterday, said the arrest followed public outcry on high profile cases of kidnapping in Jigawa State.
Parts of the statement read: “Following increase in cases of abduction in the state, operatives of Jigawa State Police Command deems it fit to swing into action, which led to the arrest of four suspects
“This includes, a 40-year old male of Gidan Maza Fulani settlement Garki L.G.A, who made a confessional statement that he and other nine gang members were involved in the abduction of an Igbo man and another Hausa man.
“The abducted victims remained in their custody for 10 days and were later released after collecting ransoms.
“Out of the money, he received N60, 000, as his own share. He stated that they carry rifles with other dangerous weapons during operations.
“The second suspect also made a confessional statement that he started with the theft of domestic animals like chickens, goats sheep and cows before he ventured into armed robbery and kidnapping three years ago.
“He participated in armed robbery operations at Kwanar Dangora, Dogon Jeji in Kano State with five other members, two among them carried AK-47 rifles. He further revealed that the same syndicate stormed the house of one Alhaji Muazu in Jahun L.G.A., and abducted one of his daughters.
“They received N20 million as ransom and he got N350,000 as his share. He also stated that he was involved in the abduction of a girl in Gujungu town and they received N3 million as ransom. He however denied participating in the abduction of Haruna Oji’s mother but said he was aware of the operation.
“On Aujara’s robbery case, the suspect confessed that a shoemaker led them to the house of Alhaji Mu’azu and they robbed him of the sum of N7million. He also participated fully in the abduction of the wife of the State House of Assembly member, representing Miga L.G.A, where he received N350,000, as his own share.
“Lastly, he participated in the abduction of one Alhaji Danladi Zango, in which the abductee was kept in his house. He personally received N59,000, as his own share, after they collected N3 million as ransom.
“The suspect also confirmed that he owns an AK-47 rifle, which he bought at a cost of N300,000 from a resident of Bunkure L.G.A of Kano State. Their gang used to buy ammunition from a woman in Makole Town, also in Kano State.
“The third suspect was a wife to the second suspect. She stated that about three weeks ago, one Alhaji Danladi was brought into their house in the night. She used to cook food for the abductee, and she got N5,000 after they have collected the ransom.
“She stated that her husband collected her Hijab, appeared in a female dress and took Alhaji Danladi to the main road on his motorcycle, but he always asked her to remain silent.”
Ahmad stated that a police investigation also led to the arrest of the fourth suspect at Gora Arewa Chai-Chai town in Ringim L.G.A., who claimed to be receiving stolen motorcycles and selling them at Gujungu and Shuwarin markets.
“He used to sell the stolen motorcycles to the first and second suspects. Similarly, he normally goes to their houses and collects his money whenever they refused to pay him. But that he did not participate in any robbery and abduction.
“On the strength of that, the Commissioner of Police Jigawa State Command, Aliyu Sale Tafida, commended the efforts of the officer and his men, and called on the good people of Jigawa to continue to give credible information regarding any person or group of persons with suspicious character around their neighbourhood for prompt action,” he added.
