The Jigawa State Police Command has described the arrest of four suspected kidnappers as great progress in its efforts to tackle criminal activities in the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Shiisu Adam made the disclosure in a statement made available to journalists on Friday.
Adam explained that on November 17, 2023, the police responded to a distress call regarding the kidnap of a 63-year-old businessman, Alhaji Shehu Kwaimawa, in Kwaimawa village, Dutse. Following the move, the victim was released.
The Jigawa Command PPRO maintained that acting on a tip-off, a joint operation team consisting of police officers, operatives from the State Intelligence Bureau, and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria conducted a raid on Rigija Fulani settlement in Hara Village, Dutse LGA on November 18, 2023.
Adam said, “The operation resulted in the recovery of 29 cows, four sheep, a broken butt of a rifle, one chain, and a Boxer Motorcycle with registration number KMC 790 HJ Kano, believed to have belonged to the fleeing kidnappers.
“Following subsequent investigation, three individuals, namely Samaila Adamu, Illiyasu A. Abdu, and Mamman Abdullahi, were arrested and identified by the kidnapped victim as being involved in his abduction. An investigation is currently ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department.”
Meanwhile, the police and a local vigilance group also apprehended one Bashir Muhammed, aged 50, in Yandutsen Kuwari village, in the Ringim Local Government Area, who confessed to the manufacture and sale of firearms to unidentified individuals.
“Upon searching his residence, a pistol and two locally made rifles were recovered. The state Commissioner of Police has ordered the suspect to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse for further investigation,” Adam added.