Police Arrest Son, Another Over Kidnap of Father in Kaduna, Recover AK-47 Rifle

By Zainab Uzomah|Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested two suspects linked to the kidnapping of an elderly man, Alhaji Rabo Jelani, in Kaduna State, and recovered an AK-47 rifle used by the gang.

In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Okon Placid, the police identified the suspects as Yusuf Rabo and Musa Adamu, who were arrested over allegations of criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.

Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly conspired with the victim’s grandson, Ali Haruna, who is currently at large, to abduct the elderly man for ransom over claims that he possessed substantial wealth and livestock.

According to the police, the syndicate usedmultiple AK-47 rifles during operations, with one rifle and an empty magazine recovered during the investigation. Ali Haruna was also accused of supplying one of the firearms used by the gang.

Investigators further discovered that the victim was abducted on separate occasions and taken to forest hideouts, where ransom negotiations allegedly coordinated by Yusuf Rabo led to payments totaling six-point-five million naira.

The police also linked the syndicate to other violent crimes in the area, including the kidnapping of a trader identified as Mr. Iyke and an armed robbery attack along the Kagoma axis.

The Nigeria Police Force said efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and recover additional weapons connected to the criminal network.