Police arrest members of notorious kidnapping syndicate in Kaduna

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Operatives of Kaduna State Police Command have arrested three members of a notorious kidnapping syndicate terrorizing the Kaduna-Abuja highway and other neighboring states.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO) of the Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, and made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.
The statement stated that” on 5th November 2024, at about 18:35 hours, acting on credible technical intelligence, the Operation Fushin Kada Tracking and Response Team arrested the suspects identified as Muhammad Lawal Abubakar (40), Abubakar Isah (40), and Samaila Saidu (65).”
It added that police recovered an AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine from the suspects.
According to the statement: “During interrogation, all three suspects confessed to being part of a kidnapping syndicate known for terrorizing the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.
“The syndicate has been linked to a string of violent incidents across the region, causing distress among residents and travelers alike.
“The suspects are currently cooperating with the Police and have provided crucial information to assist in the possible arrest of other syndicate members at large and to facilitate the recovery of additional firearms in the group’s possession.
“The Commissioner of Police CP IBRAHIM ABDULLAHI PSC,mni commended the Police Operatives for their diligence and urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, as the Command remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens and will continue to deploy all resources necessary to dismantle criminal networks in the state.”
Another farmer, Mrs Sarah Yakubu, a smallholder women farmer, said the increasing neglect of farmers in the state would result in food crises and deepen poverty in rural communities.
According to her, if the fertilisers from the Federal Government can be distributed to farmers in Kano and Nasarawa States at no cost, why will Gombe State be different?
They appealed to the state government to distribute the free fertilisers provided by the Federal Government to farmers across the state to enable those into dry season farming carry out their activities.
When contacting the commissioner of Agriculture, animals husbandry and cooperative Gombe state Mr.Barnabas Malle denied the allegations saying that the distribution of the federal government fertilizer meant to farmers was carryout without hindrance.
He said the distribution was made in two categories which according to him, 2000, tonnes of federal government fertilizer was distributed to farmers through consultant for free while the state government distributed 2000 tonnes through the fertilizer committee to be sold at the rate of N22,000 per bag.