Police Arrest Kidnap Syndicate, Recover N7.5 Million Ransom

The Katsina State Police Command successfully dismantled a kidnap syndicate, recovering N7.5 million believed to be part of a ransom. The operation was led by the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) following the abduction of a child on May 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM.

The victim was returning home from an Islamic school when they were taken. The kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N50 million, but after negotiations, the family reportedly paid N17 million for the child's release.

Following the payment, police launched an investigation that led to the identification and arrest of six gang members on Friday. The suspects include Nura Aliyu, 39, described as the mastermind, Abubakar Aminu, 37, Ibrahim Muhammad, 51, Iliyasu Sani, 51, Abubakar Muhammad, 27, and Abdullahi Isma'il, 30.

During the investigation, the suspects confessed and revealed an accomplice, Simpli Abdul, who remains at large. Items recovered from the suspects included a Peugeot 307 vehicle, a boxer motorcycle, and the ransom money.

Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, commended the operation and reiterated the command's commitment to intensifying efforts against kidnapping and violent crime in the state.