The Niger State Police Command has dismantled a notorious kidnapping syndicate linked to armed robbery, abduction, m8rder in parts of the state and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, arresting five suspects and recovering 10 AK-47 rifles. Geographic Reference

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, disclosed this during a press briefing in Minna on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

According to CP Elleman, the suspected gang leader, Samaila Ilya, alias Yakumujuri, was arrested on July 10 at Kpakungu Roundabout, Minna, after earlier escaping during a fierce gun battle with police operatives in Bwari, Abuja.

During interrogation, the suspect allegedly confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations in Gauraka, Kubwa and Bwari.

The suspect also revealed how a member of the gang k!lled the son of a kidnapped woman and collected ransom before releasing her. Crime & Justice

“Based on reports of incessant kidnapping around Garam, Chachi, Ijah-Gwari, Ijah-Koro, Gauraka and Kaduna road within the early period of this year, the Command tactical teams were deployed to these areas and further intelligence received indicated that one Samaila Shefiu a.k.a Yakumujuri 45yrs of Barikin-Sale was among the kingpins terrorizing the above mentioned areas including Kubwa and Bwari areas of FCT, Abuja,” the CP said.

“The tactical team followed up to Samaila’s residence in Bwari in an attempt to arrest him and his gang, but a gun duel ensued between the tactical team and his gang members and the hoodlums escaped from the location.

“Fortunately, on July 10th 2026 at about 6pm, the said Samaila was arrested around Kpakungu roundabout with the aid of technical intelligence.Crime & Justice

“During interrogation, he confessed to series of kidnapping in Gauraka, Kubwa and Bwari areas of Abuja.

“Investigation was extended to Sabon-Wuse where some of his gang members were located at Bwari hills, which led to another exchange of gunfire between the hoodlums and the Police team and when the enclave was searched, one AK-49 rifle was recovered with five rounds of live ammunitions.

“A week later, a team of VCRU were deployed to Gauraka for a tactical and rescue mission due to a report of a kidnapping incident in the area and in the course of this, three kidnapped victims were rescued and five other suspects were arrested;

“Amadu Abdullahi a.k.a Kachalla Baban-Tsoho, ‘m’ of Kidandam forest via Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna State.

“Adamu Abubakar ‘m’ of Igede village via Mashegu LGA.

“Mohammed Tasiu ’m’ of Kaduna road.

“Sani Shehu ‘m’ of Kaduna road.

“Bashir Aliyu a.k.a Kachalla Mallam of Kaduna road.

“Samaila further confessed that during one of their operations in Kubwa, where a woman and her son were kidnapped and while the woman was pleading for them not to k!ll her son, he stated that one of their member who is known as Yakubu presently at large shot the son d3ad and later released the woman after ransom was collected.

“He further narrated that two of their members known as Langalanga and Shafiu had an accident at Dikko junction where three AK-47 rifles and 104 rounds of live ammunition were recovered on February 17th, 2026. Hunting & Shooting

“He added that other rifles were in the possession of one Kachalla Mallam and Baban-Tsoho which were buried in the bush and in a follow up investigation, two AK rifles buried in the bush around Gauraka forest were also recovered.

“Another two rifles were said to be in the possession of Yakubu and Babuga presently at large in which Samaila led the Police team to Bwari where two AK-49 rifles were also recovered with 36 rounds of live ammunition.

“All suspects are in custody undergoing further investigation and efforts to apprehend other accomplices are in progress.”

The Kano State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped 9-year-boy unhurt after nearly four weeks in captivity and arrested 10 suspects.

The spokesperson for the command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who disclosed this in a statement on July 31, 2026 said the suspects, including nine men and one woman, were arrested through sustained follow up and intelligence-led policing.

Further investigation identified a fleeing suspect, Abubakar Salihu ‘m’, popularly known as ‘Sankolo’, as the principal suspect and mastermind.

According to the PPRO, the suspects abducted the boy identified as Ubaiyu Muhammad Sammania on 6th July at Rimin Kebbe and demanded $30,000 for his release.

Kiyawa said the boy was rescued on 31st July at Karshen Kwata, Rimin Kebbe, behind the residence of the fleeing principal suspect, EmergencyServices

“The Kano State Police Command has successfully rescued 9-year-old Ubaiyu Muhammad Sammani of Rimin Kebbe Quarters, Kano, unhurt, and arrested 10 suspects comprising 9 males and 1 female in connection with his kidnap,” the statement read.

“This feat was achieved by operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit under the direct supervision of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, SFIPMA, MNIM, MNIPS, MASIS, through sustained follow up, intelligence-led and community-centred policing in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM.

“On 9th July, 2026, a resident of Rimin Kebbe reported that his biological son was kidnapped by unknown persons on 6th July, 2026.

“The kidnappers later demanded a ransom of 30,000 US Dollars for the victim’s release. Crime& Justice

“Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad immediately commenced investigation.

“Leveraging technical support, sustained follow up, and credible information from the community, the Command arrested 10 suspects linked to the crime.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects participated in the crime in various capacities, including unlawful trespass, keeping the kidnapped victim, communication of ransom demands, and facilitating the movement of the victim to different locations.

“Further investigation identified one Abubakar Salihu ‘m’, popularly known as ‘Sankolo’, 25 years old, of Rimin Kebbe Quarters, as the principal suspect and mastermind. He is currently at large and efforts are being intensified to apprehend him.

“Through sustained surveillance and tactical deployment, the victim was successfully rescued on 31st July, 2026 at about 0830hrs at Karshen Kwata, Rimin Kebbe, behind the residence of the fleeing principal suspect, in Inusawa, Ungogo LGA.

“The victim was found unhurt and was immediately taken to Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano for medical check-up.

“The arrested suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

“CP Bakori commended the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for their dedication and professionalism.

“He reiterated the Command’s commitment to stamping out kidnapping and violent crime in Kano State through proactive policing and partnership with the public.

“He urged residents to continue to provide useful and timely information to the Police, assuring that all information received will be treated with utmost confidentiality.”

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have continued to sustain pressure on terrorists through series of intelligence-led operations that resulted in the arrest of suspected terrorist collaborators, the surrender of the family members of a senior ISWAP commander, and the recovery of terrorist logistics items.

In a statement released on Saturday, August 1, the military said one of the operations conducted on July 27, troops of 5 Brigade arrested six ISWAP collaborators in Damasak, Borno State. LawEnforcement

Troops apprehend suspected terrorist collaborators, family of ISWAP Finance Chief surrenders
‘’Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly generating funds for the terrorist group through the procurement and sale of cattle at designated markets in Gubio, Damasak and Ajuwango. Items recovered from the suspects included one Volkswagen Golf vehicle, vehicle keys, four mobile phones of different brands, cow meat and the sum of N317,950.00. The suspects are currently in military custody undergoing further investigation.”the statement reads in part

Troops apprehend suspected terrorist collaborators, family of ISWAP Finance Chief surrenders

Similarly, on July 29, the wife of an ISWAP Chief Finance Operative and her 11-year-old son surrendered to troops of 3 Battalion through Kusuma Village.

‘’Preliminary investigation revealed that her husband, a senior ISWAP commander who reportedly served as the group’s Chief Finance Officer in Jubillaram and surrendered on 25 July 2026, had instructed her to surrender with their son after his successful escape from the enclave. Both individuals have been screened and are currently undergoing further profiling in line with established procedures.

In a related development, troops of 145 Battalion, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a clearance operation at Turoh. On sighting the advancing troops, the terrorists fled in disarray. During the subsequent exploitation of the area, troops recovered two motorcycles and huge quantities of illicit hard drugs abandoned by the fleeing terrorists.

Operation HADIN KAI reassured the public that troops will continue to intensify intelligence-driven and offensive operations aimed at dismantling terrorist logistics and financial networks while encouraging willing terrorist members and their families to surrender. The military also urges members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information that will support ongoing operations to restore lasting peace, security and stability across the theatre.

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