The Kaduna State Police Command has nabbed Abdulkarim Maude, a 33-year-old infamous bandit, near Upara Warsapiti in the state’s Lere Local Government Area.
ASP Mansir Hassan, the state Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.
Hassan stated that upon arrest, the suspect was found with N347,000, a machete and some charms.
He said Maude confessed to being involved in sundry kidnapping incidents with one Yakubu and two others from Binchim Village, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The police spokesman said the suspect added that the money recovered was part of his share of ransom following the abduction of two tractor operators, Yau Balele (45 years old) and Lukman Abubakar (40 years old).
The two, according to him, were kidnapped on May 17, 2024, while working on the farm of one Alhaji Gambo, adding that the victims were taken to Binchim Hills, Bassa LG, Plateau State and were released on May 20, 2024.
He said, “On May 22, 2024, at about 10:00hrs, the Divisional Police Officer of Saminaka Division, acting on credible intelligence, successfully arrested a suspect identified as Abdulkarim Usman Maude, aged 33, from Tudun Wada Mariri. The arrest took place in Upara Warsapiti, Lere Local Government Area (LGA).
“Upon his arrest, the suspect was found in possession of a bag containing the sum of ₦347,000, a machete, and some criminal charms. During interrogation, Maude confessed to being involved in kidnapping for ransom along with one Alhaji Yakubu and two others from Binchim Village, Bassa LGA, Plateau State.
“The recovered money was identified as his share of the ransom collected from the kidnapping of two tractor operators, Yau Balele (45 years old) and Lukman Abubakar (40 years old), who were abducted on May 17, 2024, while working on the farm of Alhaji Gambo. The victims were taken to Binchim Hills, Bassa LGA, Plateau State, and were released on May 20, 2024.”
He added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accomplices while noting that the suspect has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation with the recovered exhibits.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Ali Dabigi, has assured the public that the command remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents while appreciating the continued support and cooperation from the public.
Dabigi also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.