Police arrest bandits’ informant in connection with murder of two kidnap victims after N13m ransom payment in Niger state

Operatives of the Niger State Police Command have arrested a bandits’ informant in connection with the murder of two kidnapped victims after payment of N13m ransom in Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

LIB reported that bandits have killed Aminu Sani Garba, a health worker and Kasimu Lawan, a factory worker, after collecting ransom for their release.

The duo were among four residents kidnapped by bandits at a water factory in Tegina, Rafi, on November 14, 2021.

Spokesperson of the command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, September 6, said the suspect, Nasiru Musa, confessed to have conspired with one Lelwi who connected him with one Gwaskan-Daji and several others to kidnap the victims and collect ransom.

“It would be recalled that on 14/11/2021 at about 2000hrs, suspected armed bandits invaded Tegina town, Rafi LGA shooting sporadically and abducted four persons into Kagara forest which include one Aminu Garba and others,” the statement read.

“Upon the receipt of this information, the Command mobilized and drafted a combined team of tactical squad comprised of Anti-Kidnapping Unit, FIB tactical squad and vigilante members to the area

“Consequently, as a result of the sustained operational pressure on the hoodlums, two victims later escaped from the abductors, while the remaining two others were still in captivity including the said Aminu Garba

“Unfortunately, the remaining two victims, i.e Aminu Garba and one other were killed by the kidnappers after collecting a ransom of thirteen million naira.

“However, on 29/08/2022, based on technical intelligence, one Nasiru Musa aged 30yrs ‘m’ of Tegina was arrested within Tegina town in connection with the crime

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to have conspired with one Lelwi presently at large who connected him with one Gwaskan-Daji also at large and several others to kidnap the victims and collected the ransom

“He claimed that he benefitted two hundred thousand naira only from the crime proceed and he was also planning to kidnap the Council Chairman of Rafi LGA before his arrest. Case under investigation.”