The Niger State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating along the Suleja and Kontagora axes with links to Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states.
The Command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement at the weekend. He said the syndicate used private vehicles to lure unsuspecting victims under the guise of offering lifts before allegedly drugging and abducting them to hideouts in neighbouring states.
Abiodun said investigation began after a case of criminal conspiracy and suspected kidnapping was reported at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Minna, on May 14, 2026.
The case involved a woman and her infant who were allegedly abducted by gunmen in Suleja on February 7, 2026, while on their way to the market.
Two days later, relatives received a call demanding N50 million ransom. They reportedly raised N9.5 million and paid it in instalments into three different bank accounts. Despite the payment, the abductors threatened to kill the victim.
She later escaped, abandoning her phone, ATM card and other belongings. Police said the hoodlums later used her banking details to demand N10.5 million ransom from another woman abducted from Shagari, Sokoto State, while travelling to visit her husband in Kontagora.
Following the report, detectives traced the ransom accounts and arrested Amira Yusuf Aliyu, 23, of Kano State, on July 2, 2026. She alleged she was lured to Sokoto by the suspected leader, Mustapha Yusuf, under the pretext of marriage, before he abducted her and used her account for ransom demands.
Further arrests followed. Abdullahi Garba, 40, alias “Zidane” of Sokoto State, was picked up on July 26 at the residence where Amira was held. Ibrahim Mohammed Kote, 37, and Maijida Abubakar Yusuf, 26, both of Kano, were arrested on August 7 and 10.
Police said Ibrahim stood as surety for Mustapha, while Maijida, described as Mustapha’s wife, confessed that her account was used to receive ransom payments used to buy a Honda Civic and renovate her home.
Another suspect, Abdullahi Sani, 40, alias “Samaila Atulu” of Zamfara, was arrested in Zaria on August 19 with assorted charms. He allegedly confessed to defrauding people with spiritual claims and arranging for some clients to be kidnapped. He was identified by a victim during an identification parade.
Bello Shehu, 22, of Gangam Village, Shagari LGA, Sokoto, was also arrested on suspicion of providing information on the second victim to Mustapha.
The Command said efforts are ongoing to arrest the alleged kingpin, Mustapha Yusuf, and two other members, Jafar and Fatima, who are still at large. The six suspects in custody are undergoing further interrogation before being charged to court.
“The investigation has so far resulted in the arrest of the six suspects mentioned above, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the alleged syndicate leader, “Mustapha Yusuf” and two other members identified as “Jafar” and “Fatima”, who are currently at large.
“The suspects arrested are in police custody undergoing further investigation and interrogation as the Command intensifies efforts to apprehend the remaining suspects and recover other relevant evidence, after which the case will be charged to court for prosecution.
“The Police Command reassures members of the public of its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and protecting lives and property by bringing perpetrators of kidnapping and other violent crimes to justice.
“Members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information that may assist ongoing efforts to combat crime and criminality in the State.”
