Four Suspects Arrested for Kidnap Threat in Kebbi

The Kebbi State Police have arrested four people for trying to extort a resident. They allegedly threatened to kidnap him unless he paid N30 million.

On Monday, PUNCH Metro learned that the suspects are Muhammad Shafiu, 21; Mansur Ibrahim, 21; Aliyu Umar, 25; and Muhammad Suleiman, 23. They were caught after Alhaji Aminu Garba, a resident of Jega, reported getting anonymous calls demanding N30 million or facing kidnapping.

SP Bashir Usman, the Police Public Relations Officer, said on Monday that the suspects were trying to scare the victim with repeated threatening calls. Investigators called it a failed kidnapping and extortion attempt.

Usman said the investigation found that three of the suspects got a new SIM card. They called the victim many times. One of them changed his voice to sound like a Fulani man. This was to frighten the victim and hide his real identity.

"The investigation revealed that the first, second and third suspects procured a new SIM card and repeatedly called the victim, with one of them disguising his voice to sound like a Fulani man in an attempt to instil fear and conceal his identity," the police spokesman stated.

The fourth suspect is said to be a family friend of the victim. He allegedly gave the victim's phone number and family details to the others. This information was used to make the threats seem more real.

"The fourth suspect, a family friend of the victim, supplied the victim’s phone number and family details, which were used to facilitate the threats," Usman stated.

The police acted on intelligence and tracked the suspects down. They were arrested at Gumbin Kure and Gamjeji villages in Maiyama Local Government Area before they could carry out their plan.

"Through swift intelligence-led investigations, operatives of the Command tracked and arrested the suspects at Gumbin Kure and Gamjeji villages in Maiyama Local Government Area, thwarting the plot before it could be carried out," he said.

The state Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, has ordered a full investigation into the case. He wants the suspects to face prosecution under the law.

Usman quoted the commissioner saying the police are committed to protecting lives and property in the state.

"The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be thoroughly investigated and the suspects prosecuted in accordance with the law. He warned that anyone involved in kidnapping, extortion or related crimes will face the full weight of the law," the statement added.

The police also urged the public to stay alert. They asked people to report any suspicious calls, threats, or activities to the nearest police station. The police assured that all information would be kept confidential.