The Nigeria Police Force said it has arrested two men accused of kidnapping an elderly man, Alhaji Rabo Jelani, and demanding ransom from his family in Kaduna State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, saying the police remain committed to dismantling kidnapping and armed robbery gangs across the country.
Police identified the suspects as Yusuf Rabo and Musa Adamu.
According to investigators, Yusuf allegedly worked with Musa Adamu and Ali Haruna, the victim’s grandson, who is still on the run.
Police said the suspects targeted the victim because they believed he possessed substantial wealth and livestock.
Investigators also said the gang used several AK-47 rifles during their operations. One AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered by officers.
According to the police, the victim was kidnapped twice and taken to forest hideouts where ransom negotiations were handled by Yusuf Rabo.
“The suspects in custody, Yusuf Rabo and Musa Adamu, were arrested following investigations into the abduction of Alhaji Rabo Jelani. Investigations revealed that Yusuf Rabo conspired with Musa Adamu and Ali Haruna, the victim’s grandson who is currently at large, to abduct the elderly victim for ransom over claims that he possessed substantial wealth,” he said in a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday.
The first abduction reportedly yielded N2,000,000, while the second kidnapping allegedly brought in N4,500,000.
The police added that the gang has been linked to other crimes in the area, including the kidnapping of a trader identified as Mr Iyke and a robbery attack along the Kagoma axis where travellers were robbed of cash and valuables.
Police said efforts are ongoing to arrest Ali Haruna and recover more weapons connected to the crimes.
Police arrest two over repeated abduction of elderly man in Kaduna