The Katsina State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a kidnap syndicate, including a 22-year-old man accused of conspiring with two others to abduct his grandfather and collect N3m ransom for his release.
The suspects, identified as Sani Dikko, 22; Kabir Sani, 22; and Salisu Bello, 22, were arrested by operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit along Marabar Shema Village in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Fage.
Aliyu said the suspects were arrested on September 12, 2026, at about 8:23pm during a confidence-building patrol based on credible intelligence.
“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, m, aged 22 – Informant, Kabir Sani, m, aged 22, Salisu Bello, m, aged 22.”
The command said preliminary investigation showed that the suspects confessed to the alleged offence.
According to the statement, Dikko confessed to conspiring with the other two suspects to kidnap his grandfather, identified as Alhaji Lawal, about three weeks ago.
“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 her release following the payment of a ₦3,000,000 ransom.”
The police said the three suspects remained in custody while investigation continued into their alleged wider criminal network.
Meanwhile, operatives of the command rescued two women abducted by bandits during an attack on Sha’iskawa Fulani Village in Kankia Local Government Area.
The victims, 45-year-old Assubi Rabe and 27-year-old Rabi Isyaku, were reportedly abducted at about 12:45am on September 14 by about eight armed bandits.
The police said the Kankia Divisional Police Officer mobilised operatives to the area after receiving a distress call.
The team engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bush.
“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 statement said.
The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism, while reaffirming the command’s commitment to sustained operations against kidnapping and banditry in the state.
Fage also urged residents to continue providing the police with timely and credible information to aid prompt action against criminal elements.
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