By Evelyn Usman

A notorious kidnap syndicate and robbery gang that has been terrorising indigenes of Zamfara State has been smashed by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team, following the arrest of 12 suspected members.

Kidnap

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The latest operation of the syndicate was the abduction of twin sisters: Hassana and Hussaina Bala, both 18 years.

The teenagers were abducted on October 21, 2018 in Dauran Village, Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara, when they went to distribute their wedding invitation cards to families and friends.

They kept the intending brides in their hideout from where they called their relatives, demanding N25 million ransom for their release.

After much bargain, they collected N15 million before the twins were released and which Vanguard reliably gathered was contributed by a senator and the state government.

Irked by the worrisome activities of the syndicate, the Inspector General of Police, Idris Ibrahim deployed the IRT operatives to the state, consequent upon which they were arrested in their different hideouts.

Confirming the arrest, the Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, gave the identities of the suspects as Nafiu Usman, 28; gang leader, Farouk Usman; Alhaji Ibrahim; Ibrahim Ibrahim; Kabiru Usman, 30; Salisu Wadata; Shehu Mohammed; Bala Garba, 60, and Awal Jibrin, 41, among orders.

Moshood said items recovered from the suspects include six AK-47 rifles, four magazines, 34 AK 47 live ammunition and four swords.

He said: “The suspects were arrested in various criminal hideouts in Katsina and Zamfara states.

“They confessed to the crime and admitted to complicity in the kidnapping of the twins and several robberies, kidnapping and cattle rustling in Zamfara State and environs.”