The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has apprehended five members of a notorious kidnap syndicate said to be operating along the Zaria–Kano expressway in Kaduna and Kano states.

National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi who announced this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, revealed that the arrest followed several complaints about kidnapping, extortion, theft, and criminal conspiracy along the busy highway.

The operation was carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS) on the directive of the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.

Briefing correspondents at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja, the Squad Commander, Assistant Commandant Dandaura JP said the suspects were apprehended after attacking a motorist, Sani Ahmad, along the Zaria–Kano Road.

Ahmad, a journalist, narrated that he was stopped by the gang under the pretext that there was danger ahead.

He was then assaulted and dispossessed of his belongings, including two iPhone 12 Pro Max devices, a Tecno Camon 40 Pro, and a travelling bag.

The victim further alleged that he was forced, under the threat of being shot, to transfer N300,000 to an Opay account (9026238691) bearing the name Abdullahi Lawan Garba, provided by one of the suspects, Ibrahim Abubakar.

The five arrested suspects were identified as Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, Umar Fulani, Aliyu Mohammed, Murtala Salisu, and Imrana Hassan — all male. They reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime during interrogation.

Items recovered from them include six smartphones, one iPhone 12 Pro Max, a Tecno Camon 40 Pro, several ATM cards from different banks, a Samsung Galaxy A15, an Infinix X6531B, an Itel keypad phone, wristwatches, ear pods, bangles, and rings, among other personal effects.

Dandaura has affirmed that thorough investigation is ongoing on the case and all suspects would appear before the Court of competent jurisdiction.

He, however, warned travellers to be wary of late night movements noting that criminal minded persons are on rampage to extort innocent citizens most especially as the Yuletide season is very close. (Nigerian Tribune)