Police arrest six kidnappers, rescue victims in Kaduna

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested six suspected kidnappers and rescued several victims in Kaduna State following what it described as a major operational breakthrough.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, said the arrests were carried out by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department–Special Tactical Squad on April 3, 2026.

He said the suspects, Yusuf Shuaibu (23), Abubakar Bature (19), Yau Murtala, Bello Suleiman (19), Abdul Kareem Nuhu (36), and Ahmed Musa (28), are believed to be members of a kidnapping syndicate operating in Kaduna and its environs, with links to criminal camps in Rijana Forest.

Placid added that the operation led to the rescue of victims and exposed the group’s involvement in several high-profile abductions.

“The Nigeria Police Force, through the Force Intelligence Department–Special Tactical Squad, has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of six notorious kidnapping suspects and the rescue of victims in Kaduna State,” he said.

Placid added that preliminary investigations showed the suspects were part of a well-organised criminal network.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects are members of a kidnapping syndicate operating within Kaduna State and its environs, with links to crim inal camps located in Rijana Forest,” he stated.

He further disclosed that the syndicate was involved in the abduction of a senior police officer and his son in October 2025.

“Despite collecting a ransom of twenty-four million naira (₦24,000,000) 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,” Placid said.

The police spokesperson also linked the suspects to other kidnapping incidents involving a young child and members of the same family.

“The suspects are also linked to the abduction of other victims, including a young child and members of the same family, where a ransom of eighteen million naira (₦18,000,000) was collected before the victims were eventually rescued through police operations,” he added.

He assured that efforts were ongoing to dismantle the criminal network completely.

“Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, rescue remaining victims, and recover the syndicate’s weapons,” Placid said.