The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered the arrest and thorough investigation of a five-man kidnap syndicate operating along the Zaria–Kano expressway in Kaduna and Kano States. The directive followed several complaints from motorists and residents about the rising incidents of kidnapping, extortion, theft, and criminal conspiracy along the busy highway.

Briefing correspondents at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja, the Commander of the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, AS Dandaura JP, narrated how the operatives of the squad apprehended the notorious gang. According to him, the suspects were arrested after attacking one Sani Ahmad, a journalist travelling along the Zaria–Kano road. The victim was flagged down by the suspects under the pretence that there was danger ahead. Unaware that they were criminals, he stopped his vehicle and was dispossessed of his valuables at gunpoint.

In his statement to the operatives, Sani Ahmad said he was returning to Kano after dropping off a friend and his family in Zaria when the incident occurred. He explained that after he stopped the car, the men invaded his vehicle, took his travelling bag, two iPhone 12 Pro Max phones, and a Tecno Camon 40 Pro. He added that the kidnappers also forced him to transfer ₦300,000 through his Opay account to an account number 9026238691 bearing the name Abdullahi Lawan Garba, which was provided by one Ibrahim Abubakar after firing a gun to threaten his life.

The suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubakar Garba, Umar Fulani, Aliyu Mohammed, Murtala Salisu, and Imrana Hassan, all male, have reportedly confessed to their involvement in the crime. Items recovered from them include several smartphones, ATM cards from First Bank, GTBank, and Opay, wristwatches, ear pods, jewellery, and other personal belongings.

Commandant Dandaura confirmed that a thorough investigation is ongoing and that the suspects will soon be charged to court. He warned travellers to avoid late-night movements, particularly as the Yuletide season approaches, noting that criminals often take advantage of the festive period to target unsuspecting citizens. He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest NSCDC office for prompt action.