The Katsina State Police Command says it will arraign a neighbour to the family of an eight-year-old boy and five other suspects who were arrested over the child’s abduction in the Katsina metropolis.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed in a statement on Sunday that the suspects were arrested by the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit of the command.
He noted that on May 13, the boy (identity undisclosed) was returning from an Islamic school when he was abducted, and the suspects contacted the boy’s family the following day to demand N50m ransom.
Aliyu noted that following negotiations with the kidnappers, the family paid a ransom of N17m, and the boy was released.
He stated, “On 13th May, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m., the victim (name withheld) was kidnapped while returning from an Islamic school. Later, the following day, the suspects contacted the family and demanded N50,000,000 ransom. Following negotiations, N17,000,000 was paid to secure the release of the victim.
“Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit of the command swung into action. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked and arrested 6 members of the syndicate today, May 23, 2026.”
He identified the suspects as Nura Aliyu, age 39, identified as the mastermind and a neighbor to the victim’s family; Abubakar Aminu, age 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, age 51; Iliyasu Sani, age 51; Abubakar Muhammad, age 27; and Abdullahi Isma’il, age 30.
Aliyu noted that the suspects confessed to the crime and identified another suspect who is currently at large, adding that exhibits were recovered from the suspects.
“While interrogating the suspects, they confessed to the commission of the offence and mentioned one Abdul, currently at large, as their accomplice. A manhunt is ongoing for the fleeing suspect.
“During the investigation, 1 Peugeot 307, 1 Boxer motorcycle, and a cash sum of N7,500,000, being part of the ransom money, were recovered from the suspects as exhibits, among others,” Aliyu added.
He concluded that the suspects would be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigations.
“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Ali Fage, commended the operatives for the swift operation and assured the public of the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.
“The suspects will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation. Further developments will be communicated in due course,” Aliyu concluded.
Recall that the Ondo State Police Command rescued 12 persons abducted by kidnappers in Isua Akoko, headquarters of Akoko South-East Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, had stated that the victims were kidnapped in the early hours of Saturday after two commercial buses travelling from Benue State to Ibadan were intercepted by armed men.
