In a statement on Tuesday, Anthony Placid, force spokesperson, said investigations showed that Rabo allegedly conspired with Adamu and Ali Haruna, the victim’s grandson who is currently at large, to abduct the elderly man over claims that he owned substantial wealth and livestock.
“Further investigations established that the syndicate procured and deployed multiple AK-47 rifles for their operations, with Ali Haruna allegedly supplying one of the firearms belonging to his father, while additional weapons were sourced by other members of the gang,” the statement reads.
“One AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered during the operation. Findings revealed that the victim was abducted on separate occasions and taken to forest locations where ransom negotiations were coordinated by Yusuf Rabo himself.
“The first abduction reportedly yielded a ransom payment of Two Million Naira while a subsequent operation generated Four Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira.”
The police spokesperson added that the syndicate had also been linked to other crimes in the area, including the abduction of a trader identified as Mr Iyke and an armed robbery attack along the Kagoma axis, where commuters were reportedly dispossessed of cash and valuables.
He said efforts are ongoing to arrest Haruna and recover more weapons and other exhibits linked to the crimes.
Placid reiterated the police force commitment to dismantling kidnapping and armed robbery networks across the country through intelligence-led operations.
