The Nigeria Police Force have apprehended two individuals implicated in a case of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms linked to a violent syndicate operating within Kaduna State and surrounding communities.
According to a statement from the Force spokesperson, Deputy Commissioner of Police Anthony Placid, the suspects in custody are Yusuf Rabo and Musa Adamu. They were arrested following investigations into the abduction of Alhaji Rabo Jelani. Placid revealed that investigations uncovered a conspiracy involving Yusuf Rabo, Musa Adamu, and Ali Haruna—the victim's grandson, who is currently at large—to abduct the elderly victim for ransom, driven by claims that he possessed substantial wealth and livestock.
Further investigations established that the syndicate procured and deployed multiple AK-47 rifles for their operations. Ali Haruna allegedly supplied one of the firearms belonging to his father, while additional weapons were sourced by other gang members. During the operation, one AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered.
Findings indicate that the victim was abducted on separate occasions and taken to forest locations, where ransom negotiations were coordinated by Yusuf Rabo himself. The first abduction reportedly yielded a ransom payment of two million naira (N2,000,000), while a subsequent operation generated four million five hundred thousand naira (N4,500,000).
The syndicate has also been linked to other violent crimes within the area, including the kidnapping of a trader identified as Mr. Iyke and an armed robbery attack along the Kagoma axis, during which commuters were dispossessed of cash and valuables.
Placid stated that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, Ali Haruna, and recover additional weapons and exhibits connected to the crimes.
