Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have dismantled a seven-member kidnapping syndicate allegedly behind the abduction of an eight-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis.
Read more: Police Dismantle Seven-Member Kidnapping Ring in Katsina, Recover ₦7.5 Million RansomPolice recovered ₦7.5 million, believed to be part of the ransom paid by the victim’s family, during the operation led by Commissioner of Police Ali Fage. Officers also seized a Peugeot 307 vehicle and a Boxer motorcycle reportedly used by the suspects.
According to spokesperson Abubakar Sadiq, the victim was abducted on May 13, 2026, at around 6:00 p.m. while returning from an Islamic school. The kidnappers contacted the family the next day, demanding a ₦50 million ransom. After negotiations, the family paid ₦17 million before the boy was safely released.
The newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) launched an immediate investigation and, on Friday, May 23, apprehended six members of the syndicate. Those arrested include the alleged mastermind and neighbor to the victim’s family, 39-year-old Nura Aliyu, as well as Abubakar Aminu, 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, 51; Iliyasu Sani, 51; Abubakar Muhammad, 27; and Abdullahi Isma’il, 30.
During interrogation, all suspects reportedly confessed and identified a seventh accomplice, known only as Abdul, who remains at large. Police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the fugitive.
Commissioner Fage commended the operatives for their swift, intelligence-driven action and reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes in Katsina State. The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
