The Niger State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers and recovered N1.045 million suspected to be a part of ransom payment.
The spokesperson for the command, SP Wasiu Abiodun disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
According to the PPRO, the suspects Aliyu Bodo, and Tukur Ali, were arrested during a joint rescue operation around a forest in Tanangi village via Kasanga in Mashegu Local Government Area.
The operation was conducted on 14 August by joint security teams and local vigilantes following a kidnapping incident in the area.
Abiodun said six victims were rescued during the operation, while a search of the area led to the recovery of two empty AK-47 magazines, 10 Android phones belonging to the victims, five keypad phones, a National Identification Number (NIN) slip, a brown bag and N1,045,200.
“On 17th August, 2026 at about 5:30pm, a case of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping was transferred from the DSS office to the Police Command, and it was referred to the Anti-kidnapping Unit, SCID Minna, for further investigation,” the statement read.
“The report of this case indicated that on 14th August, 2026, joint security teams and local vigilante members, acting on credible information conducted a joint rescue operation around Tanangi village forest via Kasanga, Mashegu LGA following a kidnapping incident in the area and the following suspects were arrested; Aliyu Muhammad Bodo 23yrs of Dutsen-gogo via Babana, N/Bussa and Tukur Hassan Ali, 22yrs of Bode-Saadu, Kwara State.
“During the operation, six victims were rescued from the scene, and while conducting a search, the following items were recovered;
– Two (2) empty AK-47 magazines
– Ten (10) android phones, victims phones
– Five (5) keypad phones
– One NIN slip
– One brown bag
– Cash sum of one million and forty-five thousand, two hundred naira, being proceed of crime as their share of ransom collected.
“In the course of interrogation, the suspects confessed to having conspired with other members of their gang namely; Smallie, Tashaka, Dan-Sarki and Turo, all currently at large; to kidnap ten victims along Tegina – Makera road after which they obtained a ransom of fourteen million naira from the victims.
“They also confessed to possessing one Ak-47 rifle and three pump-action rifles currently in the possession of their accomplices, which they always use to perpetrate the nefarious act.
“While in custody, the suspects were identified by some of the rescued victims during an identification parade in SCID, Minna.
“The suspects are undergoing further interrogation to aid in the arrest of their gang members after which they will be charged to court for prosecution.”
