The Katsina State Police Command has dismantled a seven-member kidnapping syndicate and recovered N7.5 million believed to be part of a ransom paid for the release of an abducted child.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, May 23, 2026. He said the gang was linked to the abduction of an eight-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis.
According to the police, the victim was kidnapped on May 13 while returning from an Islamic school. The abductors reportedly contacted the family the following day and demanded N50 million for the child’s release.
After negotiations, the family eventually paid N17 million before the boy was freed.
Aliyu revealed that one of the suspects, identified as 39-year-old Nura Aliyu, was the mastermind behind the operation and also a neighbour to the victim’s family.
Following a report of the incident, operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit launched an investigation and tracked down six members of the gang on Friday.
The arrested suspects were identified as Nura Aliyu, Abubakar Aminu, Ibrahim Muhammad, Iliyasu Sani, Abubakar Muhammad and Abdullahi Isma’il.
Police said the suspects confessed to the crime during interrogation and identified another accomplice, simply known as Abdul, who is currently on the run. Authorities said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
Items recovered from the suspects include a Peugeot 307 vehicle, a Boxer motorcycle and N7.5 million cash believed to be part of the ransom payment.
Commissioner of Police Ali Umar Fage commended the operatives for the successful operation and reaffirmed the command’s determination to combat kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.
The police added that the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations, while further updates would be communicated as necessary.
