Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Niger State Police Command has smashed a notorious inter-state kidnapping syndicate that preyed on unsuspecting travellers by offering them fake lifts, only to drug and abduct them for ransom. Six suspects, including two women, were arrested in a series of intelligence-led operations between July and August 2026, following a harrowing case involving a woman and her infant baby who were kidnapped in Suleja on February 7, 2026.
The suspects, identified as Amira Yusuf, 23; Abdullahi Garba, 40; Ibrahim Mohammed, 37; Maijida Abubakar, 26; Abdullahi Sani, 40; and Bello Shehu, 22, are allegedly members of a syndicate operating along the Suleja and Kontagora axes, with links stretching to Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states. Their modus operandi was deceptive and ruthless: they used private vehicles to pose as Good Samaritans, offering unsuspecting passengers lifts before drugging them and taking them to hideouts in neighbouring states.
The breakthrough came after a woman and her baby were abducted in Suleja on February 7, 2026. Her family received a ransom demand of N50 million. They managed to raise N9.5 million, paid in instalments into three different bank accounts, but the kidnappers still refused to release her. Fortunately, the woman eventually escaped, leaving behind personal belongings, including her phone and ATM card. The police then discovered that the syndicate had used her abandoned banking details to demand another N10.5 million ransom from a second woman abducted in Shagari, Sokoto State.
Detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit traced the ransom payments to the arrested suspects. Amira Yusuf, 23, was the first to be arrested on July 2 in Kano State. During interrogation, she claimed she had been deceived by the syndicate's alleged leader, Mustapha Yusuf, who is still at large. She said Mustapha lured her to Sokoto under the pretext of marriage, then abducted her and used her bank account to demand ransom from her parents. Further arrests followed: Abdullahi Garba, 40, was arrested on July 26 at the residence where Amira was held; Ibrahim Mohammed Kote, 37, and Maijida Abubakar, 26, were arrested on August 7 and 10, respectively. Maijida is allegedly the wife of the kingpin, Mustapha Yusuf, and allowed her bank account to be used to receive ransom payments. Abdullahi Sani, 40, and Bello Shehu, 22, were also arrested.
The police also recovered assorted charms from Abdullahi Sani in Zaria, who reportedly confessed to arranging abductions for some of his clients through the alleged kingpin, Mustapha Yusuf. The police have assured that the suspects will face prosecution, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing kingpin, Mustapha Yusuf, and other accomplices. The Command urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
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