Police nab suspected kidnappers and political thug in Niger

The police have caught two suspected kidnappers in Niger State and recovered N1.045 million believed to be part of ransom payments.

The police command announced this in a crime bulletin released on Wednesday by spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun.

The bulletin states that Aliyu Bodo, 23, from Dutsen-Gogo via Babana in New Bussa, and Tukur Ali, 22, from Bode-Saadu, were arrested during a rescue operation in a forest at Tanangi village near Kasanga in Mashegu Local Government Area.

This operation took place on 14 August. Joint security teams and local vigilantes acted after a kidnapping incident in the area.

Police reported that six victims were saved during the operation. A search in the area also led to the recovery of two empty AK-47 magazines, 10 Android phones belonging to the victims, five keypad phones, a National Identification Number (NIN) slip, a brown bag, and N1,045,200 said to be the suspects’ share of ransom money.

The case was transferred from the State Security Service (SSS) to the police on 17 August. It was then handed over to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna.

During interrogation, the suspects mentioned other gang members named Smallie, Tashaka, Dan-Sarki, and Turo, who are still on the run. They also told investigators that their gang kidnapped 10 people along the Tegina-Makera Road and collected N14 million in ransom.

The suspects further confessed that an AK-47 rifle and three pump-action rifles were with their accomplices. These weapons were used for their kidnapping activities.

Some of the rescued victims later identified the suspects during a lineup at the SCID in Minna. The suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue. Police are particularly focused on catching other members of the gang.

The police confirmed that the suspects will be taken to court.