The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested two suspected pivotal informants linked to kidnapping gangs in the Alkaleri area of the state.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, said the suspects also participated in multiple kidnapping activities within the Alkaleri region.
According to the PPRO, the suspects played a role in the abduction of three individuals in Anguwan Gero, during which two of the victims were killed despite N14m ransom payment.
“The Bauchi State Police Command has undertaken substantial measures to address criminal activities and enhance the safety of our communities. On November 10, 2024, the anti-kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with other security agencies, successfully apprehended two individuals believed to be pivotal informants for organized crime specifically kidnapping activities in the Alkaleri area of Bauchi.
“These suspects are alleged to have participated in multiple kidnapping activities within the Alkaleri region,” the statement read.
“The individuals freely confessed to have been linked to a kidnapping that occurred on September 7, 2024, in Garin Gambo village, during which one individual was abducted, and a ransom of four million naira (N4,000,000) was demanded.
“Furthermore, they are implicated in another case in Gub village, where a different perpetrator received three million naira (N3,000,000) for the release of a victim.
“Additionally, they played a role in the abduction of three individuals in Anguwan Gero, during which, regrettably, two of the victims were killed despite a ransom of fourteen million naira (N14,000,000) being paid.
“During the interrogation process, the suspects disclosed that they had been observing affluent individuals visiting the villages and reporting their findings to their criminal associates to facilitate the selection of potential kidnapping targets.
“One of the suspects, identified as Yusuf, acknowledged his participation in two kidnapping incidents and indicated that he received minor payments of ten thousand naira (N10,000) and three thousand naira (N3,000) subsequent to the ransom payments.
“The suspects are presently assisting the Police with vital information that will aid the investigation; the suspects will be charged to court upon the completion of the inquiries.”
