Niger: Police arrest 2 over N14m ransom, rescue 6 victims

The Niger State Police Command has apprehended two suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate, Aliyu Muhammad Bodo, 23, and Tukur Hassan Ali, 22, who were accused of demanding ₦14 million in ransom after abducting 10 victims near the Tegina-Makera road. The suspects, originating from Dutsen-gogo via Babana and Bode-Saadu in Kwara State respectively, were apprehended during a joint security operation around Tanangi village forest in Mashegu Local Government Area on August 14.

The operation, carried out alongside local vigilantes, resulted in the rescue of six victims. SP Wasiu Abiodun of the Police Public Relations Office mentioned that two empty AK-47 magazines, 10 Android phones, five keypad phones, a National Identification Number (NIN) slip, a brown bag and ₦1,045,200 were seized from the suspects.

The recovered currency is believed to be the suspects' portion of the ransom. During interrogation, the suspects admitted conspiring with other gang members, Smallie, Tashaka, Dan-Sarki and Turo, who are still at large. They reportedly confessed to kidnapping the 10 victims along the Tegina-Makera road and collecting the ₦14 million ransom.

The suspects also claimed to have been in possession of one AK-47 rifle and three pump-action rifles, which were allegedly held by their accomplices and utilized in their criminal activities. The rescued victims later identified the suspects during a parade at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna. The suspects are currently in police custody as the investigation continues, with a plan to charge them in court once the investigation concludes.