By Godwin Ogar
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested six suspected kidnappers who have been operating within Kaduna State and environs with links to criminal camps in Rijana Forest.
A statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, shows that the operation which led to their arrest was carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) on April 3, 2026.
The names of the suspected kidnapping syndicate who are believed to have been terrorizing the area are given as Yusuf Shuaibu (23), Abubakar Bature (19), Yau Murtala, Bello Suleiman (19), Abdul Kareem Nuhu (36), and Ahmed Musa (28).
According to Placid, “further findings indicate that the group was involved in multiple kidnapping incidents, including the abduction of a senior police officer and his son in October 2025,” and that “despite collecting a ransom of ₦24 million and other items, the victims were not released until police operatives intervened, leading to the successful rescue of the officer’s son unharmed.
“Efforts are ongoing to rescue the officer,” he added.
The Police spokesperson said the suspects have been found to have participated in the abduction of other victims, including a young child with other members of the family where N18 million was paid as ransom by relatives of the victims before they were rescued through police operations.
“Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, rescue remaining victims, and recover the syndicate’s weapons,” he concluded.
