The Nigeria Police Force has arrested one Yusuf Rabo and his accomplice, Musa Adamu, over the abduction of his father, Alhaji Rabo Jelani.
Coupled with the kidnapping incident, the suspects were apprehended over further involvement in a case of criminal conspiracy, armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms linked to a violent syndicate within Kaduna State and adjoining communities.
This was made known in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ASP Anthony Placid.
According to the statement, Rabo had conspired with Adamu and a grandson of the kidnap victim who is currently at large, Ali Haruna, to abduct his father.
They repeatedly abducted the man who they claimed to be in possession of substantial wealth.
In the course of their arrest, one AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered from them.
“Investigations revealed that Yusuf Rabo conspired with Musa Adamu and Ali Haruna, the victim’s grandson who is currently at large, to abduct the elderly victim for ransom over claims that he possessed 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.
“One AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered during the operation.” Placid wrote.
Findings revealed that the victim was abducted on separate occasions and taken to forest locations where ransom negotiations were coordinated by Yusuf Rabo himself.
Aside the repeated abduction of his father and receival of N6.5 million from both operations, Yusuf Rabo and his cohorts was also linked to other crimes within the area
“The first abduction reportedly yielded a ransom payment of Two Million Naira N2 million while a subsequent operation generated N4.5 million.
“The syndicate has also been linked to other violent crimes within the area, including the kidnapping of a trader identified as Mr. Iyke and an armed robbery attack along the Kagoma axis during which commuters were dispossessed of cash and valuables.” The statement read further.
The police assured that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, Ali Haruna, and recover additional weapons and exhibits connected to the crimes.