Police arrest six kidnapping suspects in Katsina, recover N7.5m ransom

The Katsina State Police Command announced that it has detained six members of a seven‑man kidnapping ring responsible for abducting an eight‑year‑old boy in Katsina city. Police also recovered ₦7.5 million, which is believed to be part of the ransom paid by the victim’s family.

Police spokesperson DSP Abubakar Sadiq made the statement on Saturday, noting that one suspect, identified as Abdul, remains at large.

The boy was taken on May 13, 2026, while returning from an Islamic school. “The following day, the suspects contacted the family and demanded ₦50 million in ransom. After negotiations, ₦17 million was paid to secure the victim’s release,” the police said.

The command explained that officers from the newly formed Violent Crime Response Unit located and arrested six suspects on May 23 following intelligence reports.

Police identified the suspects as Nura Aliyu—described as the mastermind and a neighbour of the victim’s family—alongside Abubakar Aminu, Ibrahim Muhammad, Iliyasu Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, and Abdullahi Isma’il.

The statement added, “While interrogating the suspects, they confessed to the offence and mentioned one Abdul, currently at large, as their accomplice.”

Police also recovered a Peugeot 307, a Boxer motorcycle, and ₦7.5 million suspected to be part of the ransom money.

Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, praised the officers involved in the operation and assured residents that the command would continue its efforts to combat kidnapping and violent crime in the state.