The Katsina State Police Command has dismantled a seven-man kidnapping syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of an eight-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis, recovering ₦7.5 million believed to be part of the ransom paid by the victim’s family.
The police disclosed on Saturday that six suspects linked to the gang had been arrested, while another suspect identified simply as Abdul remains on the run.
Spokesperson for the command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit carried out the operation following weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
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According to the police, the victim was kidnapped on May 13, 2026, while returning from an Islamic school within the Katsina metropolis.
The abductors reportedly contacted the family a day later and demanded ₦50 million ransom for the child’s release.
After negotiations, the family allegedly paid ₦17 million before the boy was freed.
Sadiq said the command immediately launched a coordinated investigation after receiving the report, leading to the arrest of six suspects on May 23.
“Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Ali Umar Fage successfully busted a seven-man kidnapping syndicate responsible for the kidnapping of an eight-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis,” the statement said.
The police identified the arrested suspects as Nura Aliyu, 39, said to be the mastermind and reportedly a neighbour of the victim’s family; Abubakar Aminu, 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, 51; Iliyasu Sani, 51; Abubakar Muhammad, 27; and Abdullahi Isma’il, 30.
Investigators said the suspects confessed during interrogation and identified Abdul, who is currently at large, as another member of the gang.
The command also recovered a Peugeot 307 vehicle, a Boxer motorcycle and ₦7.5 million cash suspected to be part of the ransom proceeds.
Police authorities said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and identify any other collaborators linked to the operation.
The development comes amid growing concerns over rising cases of kidnapping and violent crimes in parts of northern Nigeria, including Katsina State, which has experienced repeated attacks by armed groups in recent years.
Although security agencies have intensified anti-kidnapping operations across the North-West zone, residents in several communities continue to express fears over attacks targeting travellers, schoolchildren and rural settlements.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, commended the operatives involved in the operation and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling violent crimes in the state.
“The command remains resolute in its efforts to ensure the safety and security of all residents,” the police spokesperson added.
In a separate operation, the Katsina State Police Command also announced the arrest of seven suspected armed robbers allegedly linked to repeated thefts and shop break-ins within Katsina metropolis.
Police identified the suspects as Abubakar Dayyabu, Abdulrahman Danjuma, Dahiru Nuhu, Muh’d Yahaya, Abubakar Idris, Bello Babale and Shafi’i Lawal.
According to the command, officers recovered cutlasses, knives, clubs, iron rods and other dangerous weapons during raids on the suspects’ hideout.
The police said the suspects would be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
Security analysts say recent operations by law enforcement agencies in Katsina reflect increasing pressure on criminal networks operating across the state, although concerns remain about the frequency of kidnappings and armed attacks in parts of the North-West.
