Police arrest suspected kidnapper, recover drone in Kano

In Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina states, police have apprehended a 35-year-old suspect linked to a kidnapping and cattle-rustling syndicate. Kano State Police Command Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, announced the arrest of Habibu Bello during a statement made on Monday. Bello, from Kunkumi Town in Kaduna's Makarfi Local Government Area, was apprehended on September 14, 2026, as the result of a targeted operation by the command's Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

The suspect's involvement in kidnapping, armed robbery, and cattle-rustling activities across the three states was confirmed. Further investigations led to the arrest of another suspect, Mudam, from Kwanar Dangora, also allegedly tied to the syndicate. Bello confessed to several incidents, including kidnapping Hajiya Binta from Kwanar Dangora, for which a ransom of $20 million was reportedly paid.

He also confessed to kidnapping a household in Gwarzo Local Government Area and collecting ransom, alongside participating in cattle rustling activities in Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina states. The police recovered a Cine-Camera Drone, marked GT 50, during a separate clearance operation in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State on September 17.

The command is now investigating the drone's source and owner. Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori praised the command's operatives and stated that the police would continue their clearance operations with neighboring police commands.