The police command in Jigawa has arrested two suspects for allegedly attempting to kidnap a resident in the Kiyawa Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Lawan Shiisu, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the suspects, aged 25 and 27, residents of Zawaya village of Kiyawa and Manuna village of Itas-Gadau LGA of Bauchi State, were arrested after they allegedly attempted to kidnap an individual in the area.

“Recently, a complaint was received at Kiyawa Divisional Police Headquarters that two suspects, aged 25 and a resident of Zawaya village in Kiyawa LGA, and 27 and a resident of Manuna village of Itas-Gadau LGA in Bauchi State, criminally conspired, intimidated, and attempted to kidnap one individual.

“The suspects allegedly threatened the victim through anonymous telephone calls, demanding ₦4 million after falsely claiming they had been paid t₦2 million to kidnap or kill him,” Mr Shiisu said.

He explained that upon receipt of the complaint, the suspects were successfully tracked, arrested, and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation and diligent prosecution.

The spokesperson added that another suspect, aged 25 and a resident of Unguwar Ganye in Malam Madori LGA, was arrested on credible intelligence while vandalising an electrical cable in the Gari Uku community.

According to him, the suspect, when interrogated, confessed to committing the offence in collaboration with four accomplices who are now at large.

Mr Shiisu said efforts were being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects and that the case had been transferred to the SCID for further investigation.

He added that two of the suspects, aged 30 and 40 and residents of Baguwa settlement, were arrested for alleged cattle rustling involving four cows in Malam Madori.

Mr Shiisu said they had already been charged to court, while the recovered animals were handed over to owners on bond.

Similarly, the command arrested a 19-year-old man from Azare LGA of Bauchi for allegedly stealing a mobile phone in Dutse town.

The spokesperson said that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to conspiring with three accomplices from Kaduna and Bauchi states, respectively, who are currently at large.

“When a search was conducted at their hotel accommodation, a knife, master keys, screwdrivers, wristwatches, scissors, a mobile phone, a horn, perfume, and other suspected burglary tools were recovered.

He added that the command had also dismantled a notorious motorcycle theft syndicate during an intelligence-led operation along the Dandi-Kazaure road in Kazaure LGA, where four suspects were arrested while attempting to dispose of a suspected stolen motorcycle.

According to him, the investigation uncovered the syndicate’s activities in stealing and trafficking motorcycles across the area.

“Four suspected stolen motorcycles were eventually recovered, and following the conclusion of the investigation, four suspects were found culpable, while one principal suspect and another accomplice remain at large.

“The case has since been charged before a competent court for prosecution,” the spokesperson said.

He explained that the arrests, made between June 19 and June 23, were as a result of the command’s sustained campaign against crime and criminality across the state.

(NAN)