A suspected kidnapper, Bello Ibrahim, who was among the syndicate members terrorising some villages in Niger State, has been arrested by the state police command.
According to a statement by the Niger State police public relations officer, DSP Wasiu A Abiodun, Bello Ibrahim and other members of the kidnap syndicate invaded Tundun-wada village via Kaboji, Ukachi, and Magama villages in Mashegu LGA on March 19, 2022 at around 0100 hours.
During the attack, they kidnapped two persons from Mashegu LGA’s Ukachi and Magama villages and took them to an unknown location.
DSP Wasiu said after a complaint was lodged about the activities of the suspected kidnappers, Mashegu Division tactical squads, in collaboration with local vigilantes, mobilized and tailed the hoodlums into the forest. According to him the tailing was based on credible intelligence about their movements.
As a result, the team discovered the hoodlums’ temporary hideout within the forest, where they were engaged in a gun battle that led to the arrest of Bello Ibrahim, a 25 year old man from Bafarawa, Isa LGA of Sokoto State.
Bello was apprehended at the crime scene in possession of one Lar rifle, ten (10) rounds of life ammunition, and five handsets, while other members of the gang escaped into the forest.
The two abducted victims, a boy and a girl, were unhurt during the rescue operation.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a five-man gang that specializes in abduction for ransom, naming other members of the gang as (1) Jamilu (2) Mai-glass (3) Maigari Dan-Alhaji and one other, all of whom are now at large and all males from Bafarawa in Sokoto State.
The Niger State Police Command said efforts are being made to apprehend the syndicate’s fleeing members.
Source: Niger State Police Command.
