Police smash kidnap syndicate responsible for abduction of 8-year-old boy, recover N7.5m ransom in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has smashed a 7-man kidnapping syndicate and recovered N7.5m ransom.

.....

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, May 23, 2026, said the syndicate was responsible for the abduction of an 8-year-old boy in Katsina Metropolis.

According to the PPRO, one of the suspects, Nura Aliyu, was identified as the mastermind and a neighbor to the victim’s family. 

Aliyu disclosed that the victim was abducted on 13th May, while returning from an Islamic school. 

The kidnappers contacted the family a day after the abduction and demanded a ransom of N50m for the boy’s release.

Following negotiations, the family paid N17 million before the victim was freed.

Upon receiving the report, police operatives launched an investigation and tracked down six members of the gang on Friday.

“Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Ali Umar Fage, psc(+), mnips, have successfully busted a 7-man kidnapping syndicate responsible for the kidnapping of an 8-year-old boy in Katsina Metropolis,” the statement read.

“On 13th May, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m., the victim (name withheld) was kidnapped while returning from an Islamic school. 

“Later, the following day, the suspects contacted the family and demanded N50,000,000 ransom. 

“Following negotiations, N17,000,000 was paid to secure the release of the victim.

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the command swung into action. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked and arrested 6 members of the syndicate today, May 23rd, 2026.

Those arrested are: Nura Aliyu, 39, identified as the mastermind and a neighbor to the victim’s family, Abubakar Aminu, 37, Ibrahim Muhammad, 51, Iliyasu Sani, age 51, Abubakar Muhammad, 27; and Abdullahi Isma’il, 30.

“While interrogating the suspects, they confessed to the commission of the offense and mentioned one Abdul, currently at large, as their accomplice. A manhunt is ongoing for the fleeing suspect.

“During the investigation, 1 Peugeot 307, 1 Boxer motorcycle, and a cash sum of N7,500,000, being part of the ransom money, were recovered from the suspects as exhibits, among others.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, psc(+), mnips, commended the operatives for the swift operation and assured the public of the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes. 

“The suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation. Further developments will be communicated in due course.”