Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have dismantled a seven-man kidnapping syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of an eight-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis, recovering part of the ransom money and other exhibits during the operation.

The Command disclosed that the suspects were arrested through a coordinated intelligence-driven operation led by the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the victim was abducted on May 13, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. while returning home from an Islamic school.

The statement explained that the kidnappers contacted the victim’s family a day after the abduction and demanded a ransom of N50 million for the child’s release.

Following negotiations, the family reportedly paid N17 million before the victim was freed.

Upon receiving the report, police operatives launched an investigation and tracked down six members of the gang on Friday.

Police identified the suspects as Nura Aliyu, 39, who was described as the mastermind and a neighbour to the victim’s family; Abubakar Aminu, 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, 51; Iliyasu Sani, 51; Abubakar Muhammad, 27; and Abdullahi Isma’il, 30.

During investigation, the suspects confessed and revealed that another accomplice identified simply as Abdul remains at large.

The police added that a manhunt had already been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

Items recovered from the suspects included a Peugeot 307 vehicle, a Boxer motorcycle, and N7.5 million believed to be part of the ransom proceeds, alongside other exhibits.

Katsina state Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, commended the operatives for what he described as a swift and successful operation, reiterating the command’s resolve to intensify efforts against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.(Daily Trust)