Police arrest five suspected kidnappers, rescue victims in Bauchi

Police arrest five suspected kidnappers, rescue victims in Bauchi By Umar Sani The Bauchi State Police Command has recorded a breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping with the rescue of two abducted victims and the arrest of five suspected kidnappers in Alkaleri Local Government Area of the state. The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Nafiu Habib. According to the statement, the incident occurred on June 2, 2026, when armed men invaded the residence of a villager in Kwarin Gadali Hamlet, Pali District, Alkaleri LGA and abducted his 40-year-old wife and 25-year-old son. Habib said the police swiftly launched an intelligence-led operation following a report of the incident. He stated, “Upon receipt of the report, operatives from Pali Outstation immediately visited the scene of the crime and commenced intelligence-led operations to track the perpetrators and secure the release of the victims.” The police spokesperson explained that a joint security team comprising police personnel, soldiers and local vigilantes acted on credible intelligence and arrested three suspects at Kuka Village in Duguri District on the same day. The suspects were identified as Mainasara Umaru, 23; Buba Umaru, 20; and Muhammadu Usman, 19. Related News CSO urges collective action against insecurity, plans Abuja road walk Bandits destroy houses, kidnap pastor’s nine-year-old son in Ondo Atiku’s aide seeks Igboho’s probe over kidnappers’ sponsors claim “Their arrest followed trails that led operatives to their residence,” Habib said. He added that further investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects on June 3, after one of the suspects allegedly confessed to knowing about the kidnapping and the location of the victims. According to him, the confession enabled security operatives to widen their investigation and apprehend another suspect, Ahmadu Umaru, in Dalgade. Habib further revealed that the victims were successfully rescued unhurt during a follow-up operation. “Following intelligence-driven operations, the kidnapped victims were successfully rescued unhurt on June 3, 2026. They have since been taken to the General Hospital, Alkaleri, for medical examination and attention,” he stated. The PPRO said all the suspects are currently in custody, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit for a discreet and thorough investigation. The command added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing accomplices and recover weapons allegedly used during the operation. On Wednesday, the Edo State Police Command re