By IBRAHIM BELLO

The Kebbi Police Command has arrested four suspects for alleged criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation through anonymous calls, and threats to kidnap a resident after demanding a ransom of N30 million.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Birnin Kebbi.

Usman identified the suspects as Muhammad Shafiu, 21; Mansur Ibrahim, 21; Aliyu Umar, 25; and Muhammad Suleiman, 23.

He said the arrests followed a complaint by Alhaji Aminu Garba of Jega, who reported receiving threatening telephone calls demanding N30 million or he would be kidnapped.

According to him, investigations revealed that the first, second, and third suspects purchased a new SIM card and used it to repeatedly call the victim.

He said one of the suspects disguised his voice to sound like a Fulani man in an attempt to instill fear and conceal his identity.

“Further investigation established that the fourth suspect, a family friend of the victim, provided the victim’s phone number and family details which were used to carry out the threats,” he said.

Usman said operatives of the command, acting on credible intelligence, tracked and arrested the suspects at Gumbin Kure and Gamjeji villages in Maiyama Local Government Area.

“The operation successfully foiled the alleged plot before it was carried out,” the spokesperson said.

He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Umar Hadejia, has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated and the suspects prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The police spokesperson said the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, and warned that anyone involved in kidnapping, extortion, or related crimes would face the full weight of the law.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious calls or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines. (NAN)