The Kaduna Police Command says an elderly man, Alhaji Rabo Jelani, was kidnapped twice in a plot allegedly masterminded by his son and grandson.
Police said Yusuf Rabo, the victim’s son, and Musa Adamu are in custody following investigations into the abduction. The victim’s grandson, Ali Haruna, is still at large.
Investigators allege that Yusuf Rabo worked with Musa Adamu and Ali Haruna to kidnap the elderly man for ransom. The group claimed the victim had significant wealth and livestock.
Police said the group used AK-47 rifles during the operations. Ali Haruna allegedly provided one of the weapons belonging to his father, while other members supplied additional arms. One AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered.
“Findings revealed that the victim was abducted on separate occasions and taken to forest locations where ransom negotiations were coordinated by Yusuf Rabo himself,” police said.
The first abduction reportedly yielded a ransom payment of N2,000,000. A subsequent operation generated N4,500,000.
Police also linked the group to other crimes in the area, including the kidnapping of a trader identified as Mr Iyke and an armed robbery attack along the Kagoma axis where commuters were robbed of cash and valuables.
Efforts are ongoing to arrest Ali Haruna and recover more weapons and items connected to the case.
