The Katsina State Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers, including a neighbour to the victim’s family, over the abduction of an eight-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis.
The command disclosed that the suspects would soon be arraigned in court following the conclusion of investigations into the incident.
The command’s spokesman, Abubakar Aliyu, revealed this in a statement issued on Sunday, noting that the suspects were apprehended by operatives of the newly created Violent Crime Response Unit.
According to the police, the child was abducted on May 13, 2026, while returning home from an Islamic school.
Aliyu said the kidnappers later contacted the family and demanded a ransom of N50m for the boy’s release.
He explained that after negotiations with the abductors, the family eventually paid N17m before the victim regained freedom.
“On May 13, 2026, at about 6 p.m., the victim, whose identity is being withheld, was kidnapped while returning from an Islamic school.
The following day, the suspects contacted the family and demanded N50m ransom,” the statement read.
“After negotiations, N17m was paid to secure the release of the child.”
The police spokesman stated that upon receiving the complaint, detectives launched an investigation which led to the arrest of six members of the alleged kidnapping syndicate on May 23.
The suspects were identified as Nura Aliyu, said to be the mastermind and a neighbour to the victim’s family; Abubakar Aminu; Ibrahim Muhammad; Iliyasu Sani; Abubakar Muhammad; and Abdullahi Isma’il.
Aliyu added that the suspects allegedly confessed during interrogation and mentioned another accomplice identified simply as Abdul, who is currently on the run.
He noted that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
The police also disclosed that several items were recovered from the suspects, including a Peugeot 307 car, a Boxer motorcycle, and N7.5m believed to be part of the ransom payment.
“During the investigation, operatives recovered one Peugeot 307 vehicle, one Boxer motorcycle, and N7.5m suspected to be part of the ransom money,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Fage, commended the operatives for what he described as a swift and intelligence-driven operation.
He also reassured residents of the command’s commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state.
According to the command, the suspects will be charged in court immediately after investigations are concluded.