The Kano command of the Nigeria Police has during a clearance operation in recent days arrested sixteen (16) suspected kidnappers including two women within Kano Metropolis and some surrounding Local Government Areas of the State.
The state commissioner of Police Mohammed Usaini Gumel stated this during a media briefing at the command’s headquarters in Bompai, Kano state.
Kano is the most populous state and the second-biggest commercial city in Nigeria.
He said a suspected notorious drug dealer was also arrested during the operation where 605 parcels of Dried Leaves Suspected to be Indian Hemp were recovered.
“Sixteen (16) remnants of kidnapping suspects among them a notorious drug dealer were arrested within Kano Metropolis and some surrounding LGAs of the State,” he said.
He said the feat is being achieved because the command is following a roadmap towards a peaceful Kano state.
“In our roadmap to achieve a peaceful Kano State, we commenced robust Community Policing engagements, incorporating intelligence-led and visibility policing and application of technology in tackling crimes, building synergy with sister security agencies, identifying root causes of crimes especially use of illicit drugs, massive public enlightenment and sensitization.
He said most of the arrests were made in Rano, Kumbotso, Kano Municipal, Tofa, Tudun Wada and Madobi local government areas among others.
He narrated that in one of the Kidnap incidents involving Dala. Local government area, a 45 years old woman Zainab Rabi’u alongside others was involved, in a case where N20 million was demanded as ransom and N5 million was paid after negotiation. However, most of those involved were arrested.
“On 04/04/2023, a report was received from a resident of Kofar Ruwa Quarters, Dala LGA, Kano State that his son, one Almustapha Bashir, ‘m’, 6 years old was kidnapped and a ransom of Twenty Million Naira (N20,000,000:00) was demanded which they settled at Five Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (N5,150,000:00).
“In a follow-up of the investigation, the victim was rescued unhurt and the following suspects were arrested, (i) Zainab Rabi’u, ‘f’, 45 years old of Gwammaja Quarters, a mastermind and an aunt to the victim that organized and arranged the Kidnapping. (ii) Abdurrashid Sa’idu, ‘m’, 27 years (iii) Hassan Abdullahi, ‘m’, 24 years old and (iv) Ahmed Saleh, ‘m’, 25 years old, all of Sheka Quarters Kano,” explained the CP
He said, in Madobi LGA, a 25-year divorced woman was equally arrested for abducting her six years old daughter and demanding a N3 million naira ransom from the ex-husband who is the father of the abducted girl.
Similarly, In Kano Municipal a drug dealer who sells to the youths around Kofar Mata and Mandawari Quarters was also arrested and further investigated. unveiled the 605 parcels of dried weeds suspected to be Indian Hemp.
“All suspects confessed to the crime and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” he added
Other items recovered during the operations include an AK47 and some rounds of ammunition.
He urged the people of the state to continue to support the efforts of the police for peace and order to be maintained in the ancient commercial city.