A suspected kidnapper has been arrested over the abduction of a herdsman in the Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa state, who was released after a ransom of N10m was paid.
The suspect identified as Ibrahim Hassan is said to be the leader of a kidnapping syndicate in the state.
He reportedly abducted 23-year-old Abubakar Babiri at his Ruga while he was grazing his cattle.
Upon being arrested, the 42-year-old suspect confessed to the crime.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Ramhan Nansel confirmed the arrest in a statement said;
“The Police received information that one Abubakar Babiri, a 23-year-old herdsman of Jangwa village in Awe LGA of the state was abducted at his Ruga by unknown armed men. He and his family were made to pay the sum of N10 million as ransom before he was released.
“Upon receipt of the information, the command’s anti-kidnapping unit was deployed to carry out an extensive investigation into the matter and arrest the perpetrators of the act.
“Consequently, while acting on credible intelligence, the gang leader of the kidnapping syndicate, Ibrahim Hassan (AKA Bature), a 42-year-old man was arrested, and upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence.
“He further stated that he took N5 million as his share of the ransom collected and shared the rest to his boys who are presently at large and efforts are being made to arrest them.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Adesina Soyemi has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia.
