The Katsina State Police Command has said it has arrested two suspected kidnappers along with an informant, and rescued two abducted women in separate operations in the state.

Spokesperson for the command, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, made this known in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday morning.

He said that the first incident whuch led to the arrest of two suspected kidnappers and an informant, occured on September 12, at about 8:23 pm, at Marabar Shema village, in Dutsinma council area.

Accoring to the statement, “On 12th September 2026, at about 8:23 pm, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), while on a confidence-building patrol along Marabar Shema village, acted on credible intelligence and successfully busted a three-man kidnap syndicate.

“The suspects were identified as: Sani Dikko, aged 22 — Informant; Kabir Sani, aged 22, and Salisu Bello, aged 22. During preliminary investigation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the offence.

“Specifically, Sani Dikko voluntarily confessed to conspiring with the other suspects to kidnap his grandfather, one Alhaji Lawal, about three weeks ago.

“The victim spent 16 days in captivity before securing his release following the payment of a ₦3,000,000 ransom.

“All suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to unravel their wider criminal network.”

The statement also said that it rescued two women abducted by suspected bandits at Sha’iskawa Fulani village, in Kankia council area.

“In another development, on 14th September 2026, at about 12:45 am, a distress call was received at Kankia Division reporting that about eight bandits, armed with dangerous weapons, attacked Sha’iskawa Fulani village, Kankia LGA, and abducted two women identified as: Assubi Rabe, aged 45; Rabi Isyaku, aged 27.

“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO swiftly mobilized a team of police operatives to the scene. The team engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel.

“Due to the superior firepower of the police team, the bandits fled into the surrounding bush, allowing operatives to successfully rescue both kidnapped victims unhurt.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Fage, commends the gallantry and professionalism of the operatives involved and reiterates the command’s commitment to sustaining the onslaught against criminal elements in the state.

“Members of the public are urged to continue providing timely and credible information to the command for prompt and decisive action,” the statement added.