Student arrested in Niger for ‘attempting to kidnap’ college provost

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested an 18-year-old student over an alleged attempt to kidnap the provost, College of Fisheries, New Bussa, In Niger state.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by Nasir Abdullahi, NSCDC Niger command spokesman, the suspect, a college student, was arrested on August 10.

Abdullahi said the suspect had conspired with one other person, who is now on the run, to write a letter threatening to kidnap the provost if he failed to pay a ransom.

The spokesperson said the suspect did not demand any particular amount before detectives from the command arrested him.

Abdullahi said the suspect had been arraigned before a chief magistrates court on a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and intimidation. 

In July, TheCable reported how gunmen reportedly kidnapped 50 residents in an attack on Kuchi village in Munya LGA of Niger state.