Police operatives attached to the Nasko Division of the Niger State Command have arrested four suspects for conspiracy and kidnapping, recovering firearms and cartridges in the process.
The suspects are identified as Ibrahim Muazu, 20 years old, Rabo Alhaji Yakubu, 35 years old from Salka, Tanko Sura, 30 years old from Jibo village, and Hauwau Sarkin Pawa, 36 years old.
According to a press statement by the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, the suspects were arrested following a reported kidnapping incident on January 9, 2025. The incident occurred when a group of suspected kidnappers invaded a camp at Make village via Magama around 1:00 am and abducted a victim.
The statement revealed that the 25-year-old victim was released on January 12, 2025, after a ransom of three million naira was paid.
SP Wasiu Abiodun further stated that Hauwau Sarkin Pawa was arrested on the day of the incident in Salka with the aid of technical intelligence. Her arrest led the police to the other suspects.
During interrogation, Ibrahim Muazu and Rabo Yakubu confessed to conspiring with other gang members, who are currently at large, to commit the crime. The suspects also disclosed that they borrowed a revolver gun from Tanko Sura to carry out the kidnapping.
Tanko Sura admitted that he bought the gun from Zuru in Kebbi State and rented it out to Rabo. Hauwau Sarkin Pawa was involved in the crime by cooking and hiding the victim for the syndicate.
The suspects are currently undergoing investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), while efforts are ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects.