By MOHAMMAD TIJJANI

The Police Command in Kaduna State says it has arrested six suspected kidnappers and dismantled a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in Ikara Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kaduna.

Hassan said the suspects were arrested following credible information from a kidnap victim who escaped from captivity, and intelligence provided from members of the public.

He said the victim reported his abduction to the police on Tuesday and identified a house belonging to one Ja’e Samalu, 65, of Dogon Pako Village, Ikara, as the location where he was held captive.

“Upon receiving the complaint, the Ikara Police Division promptly mobilised officers, in collaboration with members of the local vigilante service, to raid the location,” he said.

He said the operation led to the arrest of six suspects aged between 20 and 65.

The police spokesperson added that the suspects were currently in police custody, while investigation continued to establish their individual roles in the crime.

“Efforts are also ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network,” he added.

Hassan quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Muhammad Rabiu, as commending the operatives and members of the public for providing timely information.

Rabiu urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities to the nearest police formation.

The commissioner also warned residents to be wary of criminal elements, who might use residential buildings as hideouts or holding facilities for kidnapped victims.

He stressed that community vigilance and timely information-sharing remained critical to preventing and dismantling criminal networks in the state. (NAN)