The Yobe State Police Command has foiled a kidnap attempt and arrested four suspected members of a criminal syndicate allegedly involved in fraud, impersonation and abduction in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, Dungus Abdulkarim, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the operation led to the rescue of a 35-year-old victim and the recovery of a Toyota Prado SUV used for the crime.

According to him, operatives of the Potiskum Divisional Police Headquarters acted on credible intelligence on Monday at about 10:30 p.m., when they intercepted a suspicious Toyota Prado SUV exhibiting unusual movement within Potiskum metropolis.

“The Yobe State Police Command, in furtherance of its commitment to intelligence-led policing, has successfully foiled a kidnap attempt with the arrest of a four-man criminal syndicate specialising in fraud, impersonation and abduction,” Abdulkarim said.

He identified the rescued victim as 35-year-old Abdulhamid Garba of Nayi-Nawa Area, Damaturu.

Preliminary investigation, he said, revealed that the victim was abducted in Damaturu by the suspects, who allegedly posed as security operatives.

“The suspects levelled false allegations of graft and financial impropriety against the victim as a ploy to unlawfully detain, intimidate and extort him before forcefully conveying him toward Potiskum in the hired vehicle,” he added.

The police named the suspects as 32-year-old Mohammed Usman, 42-year-old Kabiru Ibrahim, 27-year-old Idriss Abdullahi and 21-year-old Matthew Obata.

Abdulkarim said investigations showed that the abduction was masterminded by Usman in conspiracy with the others, who allegedly specialised in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public, particularly merchants, by disguising themselves as security personnel.

“All suspects claimed to be staff of Transworld Private Security Guard, Kano,” he stated.

He further disclosed that the suspects hired the Toyota Prado SUV from Giwa Company in Kano at a cost of N400,000 for the operation.

“The vehicle, bearing registration number ABJ 295 NB, was deliberately concealed to evade identification. The suspects reportedly demanded a ransom of N10m from the victim’s relatives,” he said.

The spokesperson added that the suspects were arrested at A.U. Kaifayi Filling Station in Potiskum Local Government Area along the Potiskum–Kano Road, while the victim was rescued unharmed and taken to the Yobe State Specialist Hospital, Potiskum, for medical examination.

He noted that the suspects had voluntarily confessed to the crime and were currently in police custody, while investigation continues with a view to diligent prosecution.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ado, commended the officers for their gallantry and professionalism.

“The Commissioner of Police reassured members of the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state and urged continued cooperation through timely and credible information,” Abdulkarim stated. (PUNCH)