The Kaduna State Police Command on Tuesday said its operatives arrested four suspected kidnappers including a 70-year-old man in the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, simply identified the 70-year-old suspect as Husaini from the Tudun-Jukun area in the ancient city of Zaria.
Hassan said items recovered from the 70-year-old suspect during the operation include an AK-47 rifle, a locally made pistol, and three cartridges.
The police spokesman also listed the identity of the other three suspects as a 30-year-old Isah Baffa Rabo(m)from Maibindiga Village, Lere LGA, implicated in kidnappings for ransom in Zango Kataf LGA and Kachia LGA, 30-year-old Ja’afaru Sale(m) from Durumi Village, Lere LGA, and 24-year-old Umar Musa, (m), from Durumi Village, Lere LGA.
Hassan said the suspects confessed to being a part of a kidnapping syndicate terrorizing Lere Local Government Area and its environs.
He said, “Kaduna State police Arrests 4 notorious Kidnappers, who partake in Several kidnappings in the northwest, and Recover Firearms including an AK47 riffle, a locally made pistol, and three cartridges
“On 29th May 2024, acting on a tip-off from a concerned citizen, a joint patrol team comprising officers from the Saminaka Division and the Hunters Group in Lere Local Government Area (LGA) successfully arrested three suspects involved in kidnapping and cattle rustling.
“The suspects confessed to be a part of a kidnapping syndicate in Lere LGA and admitted to stealing two cattle, which they sold to Idris Abubakar, male, 47 years old, from Dokan Lere, who was also arrested. Recovered items include a locally made single-barrel gun, a cutlass, and three mobile phones.”
He added that the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
Meanwhile, on the arrest of the 70-year-old suspect, the police spokesman said,”Following credible intelligence information about suspicious movement of an armed bandit, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tudun Wada Zaria Division led a swift action resulting in the arrest of one Hussaini, male, 70 years old, from Tudunjukun in Zaria.
“The arrest took place at about 0250 hours. During the operation, an AK-47 rifle, a locally made pistol, and three cartridges were recovered from the suspect. The suspect is helping the police Investigations to apprehend his accomplice and will be charged in court as soon investigation is completed.”
Hassan quoted that state Commissioner of Police, Ali Dabigi, in his statement to have assured the public that, the State Police Command remained committed to “ensuring the safety and security of all citizens and will continue to act decisively against criminal elements in the state.”