The Kaduna police command says it has arrested Yakubu Saidu, a suspected bandit leader, who allegedly masterminded the attack on St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, Zangon Kataf LGA of Kaduna state.
On September 7, 2023, the bandits attacked the residence of the Catholic priests and burnt Naaman Stephen, a seminarian, to death after failing to abduct the remaining two priests in the parish.
In a statement, Mansir Hassan, the command’s spokesperson, said police operatives arrested the suspect at Zangon Urban on Friday.
“In a commendable display of swift action and dedication to public safety, the Kaduna State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner Ali Audu Dabigi, has successfully apprehended a notorious kidnapper, Yakubu Saidu, also known as Ismail M, who was involved in banditry, culpable homicide and mischief by fire,” the statement reads.
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“On September 7, 2023, at approximately 20:30hrs, the officer in Charge of Fadan Kamanta, Zonkwa, alerted authorities of a distressing situation at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, where suspected kidnappers had launched an attack.
“Despite the urgency of the situation, police operatives, in collaboration with military personnel, swiftly mobilized to the scene. Regrettably, the suspects had already set ablaze the priest’s residence before the arrival of the security personnel.
“Despite the valiant efforts, one seminarian, Stephen Naaman, tragically lost his life in the inferno, and property worth millions of naira, including a Honda vehicle and a motorcycle, were consumed by the fire.
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“Due to diligence and the tireless pursuit of the issue by the police, on the 22nd of March 2024, one Yakubu Saidu, the alleged mastermind and leader of the notorious kidnapping gang, was apprehended and he confessed to his involvement in the heinous crime.”
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