The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Sani Dikko, for allegedly conspiring with two others to kidnap his grandfather and collect N3 million ransom before securing his release.
Dikko was arrested alongside Kabir Sani and Salisu Bello, both also 22, by officers of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit during a patrol around Marabar Shema Village in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ali Fage.
Aliyu said the suspects were arrested at about 8:23pm on September 12, 2026, following credible intelligence received during a confidence-building patrol in the area.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that Dikko allegedly acted as an informant in the kidnapping of his grandfather, identified as Alhaji Lawal.
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The victim was allegedly held captive for 16 days before his release after his family paid N3 million as ransom.
The police said the three suspects have confessed to the crime and remain in custody, while investigations continue to determine their full involvement and possible links to a wider criminal network.
Meanwhile, police officers in another operation rescued two women abducted by suspected bandits during an attack on Sha’iskawa Fulani Village in Kankia Local Government Area.
The victims were identified as 45-year-old Assubi Rabe and 27-year-old Rabi Isyaku.
According to the police, the women were abducted at about 12:45am on September 14, 2026, when about eight armed bandits attacked the community.
The police in Kankia mobilised to the area after receiving a distress call and subsequently, engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding bushes.
“Due to the superior firepower of the police team, the bandits fled into the surrounding bush, allowing operatives to successfully rescue both kidnapped victims unhurt,” the statement said.
The state commissioner of police commended the officers involved in the two operations for what he described as their professionalism and bravery.
Fage also assured residents that the command would sustain operations aimed at tackling kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes across Katsina State.
He urged residents to provide timely and credible information to the police to assist security operatives in identifying and apprehending criminal elements.
