TheCable

A gang of kidnappers have been arrested in Kaduna state, the police have said.

Olabisi Kolawole, police spokeswoman, said in a statement on Saturday that the gang had been terrorising the state until their arrest.

She also said that the six-man gang would be arraigned in court soon.

“In line with the resolve to make the country safe and secure for the citizens of Nigeria, the Nigeria police force has smashed a notorious kidnapping syndicate operating in Kaduna state,” Kolawole said.

“Currently, six members of the syndicate have been arrested namely: Kashimu Shehu ‘m’ aka Baliago (the gang leader); Aliyu Mato ‘m’ aka yellow; Muhammedu Mamman ‘m’; Hassan Bello ‘m’; Bala Mohammed ‘m’; and Ishiaku Kabiru.

“The arrested kidnappers, who have been terrorising Kaduna and Zaria area of Kaduna state, will soon be arraigned in court.

“The gang was responsible for the abduction of Rev Yakubu Dzarma, Rev Emmanuel Dziggan and Rev Illiya Anthony on 21/3/2016, at Dutse village in Kaduna State while Dan’Azumi Mohammed was kidnapped alongside her sister, Hajara Mohammed on 14/4/2016 at Andun Jangwan village in the State, by the same gang. Though they were All were later freed, Rev Illiya Anthony died in the custody of his abductors.

“The arrest of these kidnappers is indicative of the force commitment to the fight against all forms of crimes and criminality in the country.

“The IGP while commending the force Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and other police operatives involved in the arrest of the suspects, for their dedication and professionalism, said that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.

“The inspector-general of police also appeal to the citizens to support the Nigeria police force by providing useful information that could help in unmasking the criminal elements in the country.”

At the height of the security crisis in the state, an army colonel was kidnapped and later killed by his abductors.