A 50-year-old man, Ado Haruna, has been apprehended by operatives of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) for allegedly conspiring with bandits to abduct members of his own family in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Haruna, a resident of Angwa Kanawa Dutse Abba, reportedly led the bandits to the home of his nephew, Alhaji Bashiru Anas, where his two wives, three children, younger brother, and brother’s wife were abducted.
Although Anas himself was absent during the raid, his family members spent 60 harrowing days in captivity at Buruku Sabo Birni, where negotiations for their release took place.
During a confession following his arrest, Haruna admitted to facilitating the abduction and using his nephew’s phone to communicate with the bandits throughout the ordeal.
He revealed that the bandits received over N10 million in ransom, from which he received a meager N200,000.
Haruna claimed he used the money to purchase maize, attributing his actions to desperation caused by his economic circumstances.
In a parallel development, the police also apprehended Nyali Hassan, a notorious kidnapper with ties to multiple abduction cases across Kano and Kaduna States.
Hassan, who was captured in Stara Rago, Kano, was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines.
Upon interrogation, Hassan disclosed his involvement in a six-man kidnapping gang that operated in various towns.
He admitted to orchestrating several abductions and extorting substantial sums in ransom, citing financial gain as his motivation despite acknowledging the ethical contradictions with his religious beliefs.
Hassan further revealed that he had invested his illicit earnings in vehicles and livestock, having inherited a substantial number of cows from his late father.
He expressed regret over his criminal activities but attributed his initial involvement to peer influence and a desire for quick wealth.
Confessing when he was paraded by the police, Haruna said, “I’m into farming and vigilante work. It is true that I was the one who took bandits to Alhaji Anas’ house. Anas is my nephew; my elder sister’s son. I knew only one of the bandits who asked me to show them my nephew’s house.
“I led the bandits to his house but didn’t let him see me. We were living in the same community. They did not see Anas, so they took his wife and children. For the 60 days his family was in the bush, I was using Alhaji Anas’ phone to communicate with the bandits.
“The bandits were paid over N10 million as ransom, as I was made to know, but I was given N200,000 as my share. I bought maize with the money given to me. I didn’t know how the police got information about my involvement. I just saw them at my home. Life pushed me into crime.”
Recounting his criminal activities, Hassan, father of ten, said, “I have two wives and 10 children. I’m into farming and cattle rearing, but I added kidnapping to it. I was carrying out the operations in Kano.
“I started a year ago. I have kidnapped eight people but got money from five of them. I collected between N1 million and N10 million as ransom. Some of the victims escaped while those guarding them slept off. I was targeting the rich people.
“We usually carry out our operations by laying ambush for victims on the road or visiting their homes. We never killed any of our potential victims. I know that the Qur’an does not support crime, but I’ll say that my friends misled me. They would be spending so much money whenever we were at a gathering, so I decided to join them.”
“My friend, Umar, who is also one of the gang members, taught me how to shoot with an AK-47 rifle,” he added.
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