Police arrest man who kidnapped grandfather in Katsina, rescue two victims

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Sani Dikko, who allegedly conspired with two others to kidnap his grandfather and secured N3m ransom before his release.

Dikko was arrested alongside Kabir Sani, 22, and Salisu Bello, 22, during an operation by operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit along Marabar Shema Village in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Fage.

According to the statement, the suspects were arrested on September 12, 2026, at about 8:23pm during a confidence-building patrol based on credible intelligence.

“On 12th September 2026, at about 8:23 pm, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), while on a confidence-building patrol along Marabar Shema Village, acted on credible intelligence and successfully busted a three-man kidnap syndicate.

“The suspects were identified as: Sani Dikko, m, aged 22 – Informant, Kabir Sani, m, aged 22, Salisu Bello, m, aged 22.

“During preliminary investigation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the offence. Specifically, Sani Dikko voluntarily confessed to conspiring with the other suspects to kidnap his grandfather, one Alhaji Lawal, about three weeks ago. The victim spent 16 days in captivity before securing her release following the payment of a ₦3,000,000 ransom.”

The command said all three suspects remained in custody as investigation continued to uncover their alleged wider criminal network.

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Meanwhile, the police also rescued two women abducted by bandits during an attack on Sha’iskawa Fulani Village in Kankia Local Government Area of the state.

The victims, identified as 45-year-old Assubi Rabe and 27-year-old Rabi Isyaku, were reportedly abducted at about 12:45am on September 14 by about eight armed bandits.

The police said the Kankia Divisional Police Officer swiftly mobilised operatives to the scene after receiving a distress call.

The team subsequently engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into the surrounding bush.

“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 Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism and reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining operations against kidnapping and banditry in Katsina State.

CP Fage also urged members of the public to continue providing the police with timely and credible information to facilitate prompt action against criminal elements.