Katsina: 22-year-old man abducts his grandfather, collects N3m ransom

From Agaju Madugba, Katsina

The police in Katsina have arrested a 22 years old man who allegedly conspired with two terrorists to abduct his grandfather and successfully collected N3 million from the family after 16 days in captivity.

A statement on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, described the arrest as part of operational successes recorded in recent times Dutsin-Ma and Kankia Local Government Areas, aimed at curbing kidnapping and banditry while ensuring the protection of lives and property throughout the state.

According to the statement, “on 12th September 2026, at about 8:23 pm, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), while on a confidence-building patrol along Marabar Shema Village, acted on credible intelligence and successfully busted a three-man kidnap syndicate.

“The suspects were identified as: Sani Dikko, aged 22, Kabir Sani, aged 22 and Salisu Bello, aged 22.

“During preliminary investigation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the offence. “Specifically, Sani Dikko voluntarily confessed to conspiring with the other suspects to kidnap his grandfather, one Alhaji Lawal, about three weeks ago.

“The victim spent 16 days in captivity before securing his release following the payment of a ₦3,000,000 ransom.

“The suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to unravel their wider criminal network.

“In another development, on 14th September 2026, at about 12:45 am, a distress call was received at Kankia Division reporting that about eight (8) bandits, armed with dangerous weapons, attacked Sha’iskawa Fulani village, Kankia Local Government Area, and abducted two women.

“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO swiftly mobilized a team of police operatives to the scene.

“The team engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. Due to the superior firepower of the police team, the bandits fled into the surrounding bush, allowing operatives to successfully rescue the victims unhurt.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, commends the gallantry and professionalism of the operatives involved and reiterates the command’s commitment to sustaining the onslaught against criminal elements in the state.

“Members of the public are urged to continue providing timely and credible information to the command for prompt and decisive action.”