By Paul Joseph
The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Sani Dikko, over an alleged plot to kidnap his grandfather and collect N3 million in ransom before securing his release.
Dikko was arrested alongside two other suspects, Kabir Sani and Salisu Bello, both also 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 the arrests in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Fage.
According to the statement, the suspects were arrested at about 8:23pm on September 12, 2026, following information reportedly obtained during a confidence-building patrol.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that Dikko allegedly served as an informant in the abduction of his grandfather, identified as Alhaji Lawal.
The victim was reportedly held captive for 16 days before he was released after the payment of N3 million ransom.
The command said the three suspects had confessed to the alleged offence and remained in custody while investigations continued to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and determine whether they had links to other criminal activities.
Police Rescue Two Women From Bandits
In a separate operation, the Katsina Police Command said its operatives rescued two women who were abducted 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.
The women were reportedly abducted at about 12:45am on September 14, 2026, when about eight armed bandits attacked the community.
The police said the Divisional Police Officer in Kankia mobilised operatives to the area after receiving a distress call.
The responding team reportedly engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing the bandits to retreat into the surrounding bush.
According to the police, the victims were subsequently rescued unhurt.
Commissioner Fage commended the officers involved in both operations for what he described as their professionalism and bravery.
He assured residents that the command would continue its operations against kidnapping and banditry across the state.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to assist in identifying and apprehending suspected criminals.
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