Niger State Police Command has announced the neutralization of two suspected kidnappers, the arrest of two others, and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles.
The statement was made by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, on Thursday, March 23, 2023. According to the spokesperson, the two suspects were apprehended at a motor park in Minna while attempting to board a vehicle to Kebbi State, where they presumably intended to carry out a kidnapping operation.
“On 02/03/2023 at about 1430hrs, based on credible intelligence received, Police operatives attached to FIB tactical squad arrested the following two suspects; Umar Aliyu,35, of Diri-Ndaji, Kebbi State and Moh’d Abubakar, 25, of Peregi, Kogi State.”
“The suspects were arrested at Kure-Market Park during an attempt to board a commercial vehicle to Kebbi. During interrogation, Umar Aliyu confessed that he had participated in kidnapping activities at Sakaba in Kebbi last year and that he recently relocated from there to Angwan-Kuka area of Bosso, Minna as he had been on the run.”
“He confessed further that he contacted Moh’d Abubakar from Kogi, a gang member he met at Sakaba to join him in Minna to proceed to Kebbi for a possible kidnap, while Moh’d came to Minna with an AK-47 rifle.”
“He claimed they were planning to get more arms and more men to assist in their intended operation, he said they have no particular target yet, until they get to their destination and scout for one.”
“The suspects are under investigation and one AK-47 rifle with thirteen rounds of live ammunition was recovered.”
Furthermore, police operatives, in collaboration with local vigilante members, engaged in a gun battle and neutralized two suspected kidnappers, rescuing a victim in the process.
“On 19/03/2023 at about 1600hrs, information was received that on the same date at about 0023hrs, suspected kidnappers attacked a victim at Zolegi village via Saminaka Lapai, inflicted a machete cut injury on his head and kidnapped his wife to an unknown destination,” the spokesperson stated.
“Police tactical team led by DPO Lapai and vigilante members mobilized and stormed Saminaka forest, where the kidnapped victim was suspected to have been kept by the abductors.”
“While combing the forest, a gun duel ensued between the team and the hoodlums, and during the gun battle, two among the hoodlums were neutralized, while others escaped into the forest with bullet injuries, and one AK-47 rifle with twenty rounds of live ammunition was recovered.”
“The abducted woman was rescued unhurt, and the injured husband was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.”