In line with its commitment to intelligence-led policing, the Yobe State Police Command has successfully arrested a four-man criminal syndicate specializing in fraud, impersonation, and abduction.
The operation also led to the rescue of 35-year-old Abdulhamid Garba, a resident of Nayi-Nawa, Damaturu, and the recovery of a Toyota Prado SUV used in the crime.
Operatives of the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters, acting on credible intelligence, intercepted the suspicious Toyota Prado SUV exhibiting unusual movement within Potiskum metropolis. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was abducted in Damaturu by suspects posing as security operatives.
The suspects allegedly leveled false allegations of graft and financial impropriety against the victim as a ploy to unlawfully detain, intimidate, and extort him, before forcibly transporting him toward Potiskum in the hired vehicle.
According to Dungus Abdulkarim, the command’s spokesperson, the abduction was masterminded by Mohammed Usman (32) in conspiracy with Kabiru Ibrahim Umar (42), Idriss Abdullahi Zakaria (27), and Matthew Obata (21).
The suspects specialized in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public, particularly merchants, by disguising themselves as security personnel, claiming to be staff of Transworld Private Security Guard, Kano.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects hired a Toyota Prado SUV from Giwa Company, Kano, for ₦400,000, deliberately concealing it to evade identification. They reportedly demanded a ransom of ₦10,000,000 from the victim’s relatives,” Abdulkarim said.
“Upon receipt of the report, detectives swiftly acted, arresting the suspects at A.U. Kaifayi Filling Station, Potiskum LGA, along the Potiskum–Kano Road. The victim was rescued unharmed and taken to the Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, for medical examination,” he added.
The suspects have voluntarily confessed and are currently in police custody, while investigations continue toward prosecution.
Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Ado commended the gallantry, professionalism, and swift response of the officers, reassuring the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urging continued cooperation through timely and credible information.
