Police arrest suspected kidnapper in Kaduna, recover N347k ‘ransom’

The Kaduna state police command says its operatives have arrested a suspected kidnapper.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mansir Hassan, the police spokesperson in Kaduna, said the suspect, Abdulkarim Usman Maude, and three others abducted two tractor operators on May 17 while working on a farm.

Hassan said the suspect was arrested on May 22 in the Upara Warsapiti community under Lere LGA of the state, following credible information.

He added that the suspect was found in possession of a machete, some charms, and a bag containing N347,000, noting that the money was believed to be part of his share of the ransom collected from the families of abducted people.

“During interrogation, Maude confessed to being involved in kidnapping for ransom along with one Alhaji Yakubu and two others from Binchim Village, Bassa LGA, Plateau State,” the statement reads.

“The recovered money was identified as his share of the ransom collected from the kidnapping of two tractor operators, Yau Balele (45 years old) and Lukman Abubakar (40 years old), who were abducted on May 17, 2024, while working on the farm of Alhaji Gambo.

“The victims were taken to Binchim Hills, Bassa LGA, Plateau State, and were released on May 20, 2024.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accomplices.

“The suspect, along with the recovered exhibits, have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.”

The spokesperson said Ali Dabagi, the state police commissioner, assured members of the public of the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents.