According to the Jigawa State Police Command, four alleged kidnappers and a gun maker have been taken into custody.
In a statement provided to newsmen on Friday, DSP Shiisu Adam, the command’s public relations officer, revealed this.
He clarified that the police and neighborhood vigilante groups worked together to make the arrests.
He said ”On November 16, 2023, the police, in collaboration with the local vigilante group, apprehended Bashir Muhammed, aged 50, in Yandutsen Kawari village, Ringim Local Government Area.
“Upon searching his residence, a pistol and two locally made rifles were recovered.”
Adam said that during questioning, the suspect admitted to making and selling guns to unnamed people.
He mentioned that the suspect is now being investigated further by the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse.
He continued by saying that on November 17, 2023, a distress call was received in reference to the kidnapping of Alhaji Shehu Kwaimawa, a 63-year-old merchant, in Kwaimawa village, Dutse LGA.
He noted, “The police immediately moved to the scene and discovered that the kidnappers had fled with the victim.
“However, on November 17, 2023, the victim was released by the abductors at Baranda Forest in Dutse LGA.”
The PPRO further stated that on November 18, 2023, a joint operation squad made up of police officers, State Intelligence Bureau agents, and members of the Nigerian Vigilante Group raided the Rigija Fulani settlement in Hara Village, Dutse LGA, on a tip.
“The operation resulted in the recovery of 39 cows, four sheep, a broken butt of a rifle, one chain, and a Boxer motorcycle with registration number KMC 790 HJ Kano, believed to belong o the fleeing kidnappers,” he said.
He affirmed that all recovered items have been taken into custody for further investigation.
“Following the subsequent investigation, three individuals, namely Samaila Adamu, Illiyasu Abdu, and Mamman Abdullahi, were arrested and identified by the kidnapped victim as being involved in his abduction.
“Investigation is currently ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Dutse, and upon completion, all will be arraigned before the court,” Adam added.
