Police Foil Kidnap Attempt in Niger, Arrest Suspects
Niger Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Foiled Kidnap Attempt in Tafa LGA
The Niger State Police Command has arrested two men suspected of attempting to kidnap a woman in New Bwari, Tafa Local Government Area.
The suspects, identified as 28-year-old Japhta James from Ijah-Gwari and 30-year-old Usman Ibrahim from Sabon-Gari, Bwari (FCT), were apprehended following a swift response by police operatives to a distress call.
In a statement released on Monday, June 16, 2025, the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, revealed that the suspects had confessed to plotting the abduction in a bid to extort ransom from the victim’s family.
“On June 13, 2025, around 8 p.m., the Police Division in Tafa received a distress call about a kidnapping attempt in the Kata area of New Bwari,” Abiodun stated. “Operatives responded immediately and arrested the two suspects at the scene.”
According to the police, the suspects had entered the victim’s residence with the intent to kidnap her, but their plan was thwarted before they could carry it out.
Items recovered from the duo include a locally fabricated pistol, two sharp knives, two electric tasers, a walkie-talkie, two cartridges, a canister of pepper spray, four mobile phones, an ATM card, and some charms believed to be for “protection.”
During preliminary interrogation, the suspects admitted to plotting the crime themselves, saying they had intended to contact the victim’s family to demand a ransom.
They also claimed that the weapons and gadgets found on them were obtained from another individual posing as a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
SP Abiodun confirmed that further investigations are underway and that the suspects will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for deeper interrogation and eventual prosecution.
The command reiterated its commitment to maintaining public safety and urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activities to authorities.
Police Foil Kidnap Attempt in Niger, Arrest Suspects