Kebbi Police Apprehend Four Suspects, Including Insider, Over N30m Kidnap Threat

The Kebbi State Police Command has successfully apprehended four individuals suspected of attempting to extort a resident of Jega town under the guise of a kidnapping threat, demanding a hefty N30 million ransom. The command's spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed these arrests in a statement released on July 6, 2026.

According to SP Usman, the operation was initiated after the victim, Aminu Garba, formally reported to the police about receiving anonymous phone calls. These callers explicitly demanded N30 million, threatening to abduct him if he failed to comply.

Further police investigation uncovered a crucial detail: one of the arrested suspects, Muhammad Suleiman (23), was a close family friend of Garba. Suleiman allegedly provided the victim's personal phone number and intricate family details, which were subsequently used by the syndicate to facilitate their threats.

The official statement detailed the arrests: “The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested four suspects for criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation through anonymous communication, and alleged threat to kidnap a resident after demanding a ransom of N30 million.” The suspects were identified as Muhammad Shafiu (21), Mansur Ibrahim (21), Aliyu Umar (25), and Muhammad Suleiman (23).

The investigation revealed that Shafiu, Ibrahim, and Umar acquired a new SIM card and repeatedly contacted the victim. One of them deliberately altered his voice to mimic a Fulani man, aiming to instill fear and obscure his true identity.

Through rapid intelligence-led operations, law enforcement agents successfully tracked down and apprehended the suspects. Their arrests took place in Gumbin Kure and Gamjeji villages, both located within the Maiyama Local Government Area, effectively neutralising the plot before it could be executed.

Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, psc, MNIM, has issued directives for a comprehensive investigation into the matter and assured that all suspects will face prosecution in accordance with the law. He reiterated the Command's unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property, issuing a stern warning that anyone involved in kidnapping, extortion, or related criminal activities would be met with the full force of the law.

The Command also appealed to residents to maintain vigilance and promptly report any suspicious calls or activities to their nearest police station. They provided emergency contact numbers: 090399111876 and 07081074395, assuring that all information shared would be handled with the utmost confidentiality.