The Kano State Police Command has arrested three suspects accused of their involvement in the kidnapping and killing of Alhaji Atiku Muazu, a former permanent secretary from Gombe State.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Salman Dogo disclosed the arrests to newsmen in Kano on Monday while briefing Journalists on the activities of the Command in fighting criminal elements in the state.
CP Dogo explained that the 64-year-old Muazu was kidnapped by the suspects with a ransom of N20 million demanded for his release.
He added that the victim was subsequently killed by the suspects after receiving N2 million as ransom.
The CP said operatives of the command’s anti-kidnapping unit arrested a 33-year-old Abubakar Hassan, a.k.a Captain, who hails from Ringim in Jigawa State and said to be the mastermind of the kidnap.
The unit also arrested one Adamu Abubakar Adam, 29 years old from Sharada Quarters who received the N2 million ransom, along with a 34-year-old Alhaji Hamisu, aka Bakin Bross.
During the course of the investigation, the principal suspect confessed to singlehandedly lured and kidnapped the victim to Ringim local government in Jigawa State, under the pretence of taking him to Kazaure local government to collect his car from a mechanic.
“Instead, he conspired with four others, including the mechanic of the victim, held him hostage and later killed him after collecting a ransom of two million naira (N2,000,000:00).
“A toy Gun with six (6) rubber bullets was recovered from the principal suspect.
“The suspects are currently undergoing discreet investigation at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
“They will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation,” the CP stated.
In a related development, the commissioner also announced that the police has set all machinery in place to arrest the armed men that invaded the residence of one Alhaji Awwalu at Sabuwar Unguwar Garo in Kabo local government area of Kano State.
Awwalu was robbed of N8 million and his 16-year-old daughter, Zainab Aliyu kidnapped during the invasion.
