By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two suspects, including a son accused of masterminding the abduction of his own father, in a major breakthrough against kidnapping and armed robbery syndicates operating in Kaduna State and neighbouring communities.
According to an official signed statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the suspects, Yusuf Rabo and Musa Adamu, were apprehended following investigations into the kidnapping of Alhaji Rabo Jelani.
Police investigations revealed that Yusuf Rabo allegedly conspired with Musa Adamu and Ali Haruna, the victim’s grandson who is currently on the run, to abduct the elderly man for ransom over claims that he possessed significant wealth and livestock.
The statement disclosed that the criminal syndicate procured and deployed multiple AK-47 rifles for its operations, with Ali Haruna reportedly supplying one of the firearms belonging to his father, while other weapons were sourced by additional gang members. Security operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine during the operation.
Investigators further uncovered that the victim was abducted on different occasions and taken to forest hideouts where ransom negotiations were allegedly coordinated by Yusuf Rabo himself. The first kidnapping reportedly yielded a ransom payment of N2 million, while a subsequent abduction generated N4.5 million for the syndicate.
The police also linked the suspects to other violent crimes in the area, including the kidnapping of a trader identified as Mr. Iyke and an armed robbery attack along the Kagoma axis where commuters were dispossessed of cash and valuables.
The Force said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect, Ali Haruna, and recover additional weapons and other exhibits connected to the crimes.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling kidnapping and armed robbery networks across the country through sustained intelligence-led operations targeting violent criminal groups.
