The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Sani Dikko, for allegedly conspiring with two others to kidnap his grandfather and collect N3m ransom before his release.
Dikko was arrested alongside Kabir Sani and Salisu Bello, both aged 22, by operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit during a patrol around Marabar Shema Village in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Fage.
Aliyu said the suspects were arrested around 8:23pm on September 12, 2026, following credible intelligence received during a confidence-building patrol.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations indicated that Dikko allegedly acted as an informant in the kidnapping of his grandfather, identified as Alhaji Lawal.
The victim was reportedly held for 16 days before his release after a ransom of N3m was paid.
The police said the three suspects had confessed to the alleged offence and remained in custody as investigations continued into their activities and possible links to a wider criminal network.
In a separate operation, the command rescued two women abducted by bandits during an attack on Sha’iskawa Fulani Village in Kankia Local Government Area.
The victims were identified as 45-year-old Assubi Rabe and 27-year-old Rabi Isyaku.
They were reportedly abducted around 12:45am on September 14 by about eight armed bandits.
The police said the Divisional Police Officer in Kankia mobilised operatives to the area after receiving a distress call.
The team engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat 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.
Fage commended the officers involved in both operations for their professionalism and bravery.
He assured residents that the command would sustain its operations against kidnapping and banditry across the state.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to the police to support efforts to apprehend criminal elements.