Police Dismantle Kidnap Gang, Rescue Elderly Victim in Jigawa
Jigawa Police Dismantle Notorious Kidnapping Syndicate, Rescue 80-Year-Old Victim
The Jigawa State Police Command has successfully dismantled a deadly kidnapping syndicate that has been terrorising parts of Jigawa and neighbouring Kano State, killing five gang members and arresting five others, including the group’s alleged kingpin.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed T. Abdullahi, announced the breakthrough during a press briefing in Dutse on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. He revealed that the gang had been responsible for a series of abductions and criminal activities across the region.
The operation, conducted with the support of local vigilantes, hunters, and community-based security groups, led to the rescue of an 80-year-old woman, Hajiya Hajara, who had been kidnapped from her home in Minjibir LGA of Kano State.
She was abducted in the early hours of May 16, 2025, by a group of 12 armed men riding five motorcycles, who attempted to transport her through remote villages in Jigawa.
“Based on actionable intelligence, our personnel in collaboration with community security outfits mounted a coordinated operation in Danzomo and Medi villages, located within Sule Tankarkar and Garki Local Government Areas,” CP Abdullahi stated.
The security teams engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle, during which five suspects were neutralised.
Five others, including the 35-year-old suspected gang leader, Yahya from the Katore Fulani settlement in Garki LGA, were captured. Yahya sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the confrontation and is currently in custody assisting with investigations.
Recovered items from the operation included two AK-47 rifles, a multipurpose machine gun, 14 rounds of live ammunition, two motorcycles, and three mobile phones suspected to belong to the kidnappers or their victims.
CP Abdullahi confirmed that the rescued victim was found unharmed and has been medically assessed and reunited with her family.
“Her safe return is a testament to the dedication and bravery of our officers and their community partners,” he said.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to combating violent crime and warned that criminals have no safe haven in Jigawa State.
Police Dismantle Kidnap Gang, Rescue Elderly Victim in Jigawa