EXTRA: Thank God we were caught, says suspected kidnapper after arrest

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has arrested one Auwal Abdullahi, a serial kidnapper, in Kaduna state. 

During a public parade of criminals on Friday, Muyiwa Adejobi, NPF spokesperson, said Abdullahi was nabbed on September 12, 2023, in Garu village, Soba LGA of the state.

Abdullahi confessed his involvement in the kidnapping of some students of Federal Government College (FGC), Yauri, Kebbi state. 

On June 17, 2021, several students including teachers of FGC Birnin-Yauri were abducted from their school by gunmen.

Some of the students were rescued by troops of the Nigerian Army while many others were reportedly released after a ransom was paid to their captors.

The gunmen later released 27 of the students and an additional 30 were set free after seven months in captivity.

Four of the students regained freedom after being held captive for about two years and another three in May 2023. 

Adejobi said upon investigating Abdullahi, the police arrested one Abubakar Abdulahi, an uncle and colleague of Abdullahi, in Zaria. 

The police spokesperson said Abubakar confessed to collaborating with Abdullahi in a series of kidnapping operations. 

“He (Abubakar) came to me and brought money to enable me to travel and join the gang in the forest. I thank God that we have been caught and brought here,” Abdullahi said. 

“I have made N40,000 before from kidnapping. Our leaders do collect the ransom.”

Adejobi said the NPF will not relent in its hunt for the leaders of the gang who are now at large.