Three suspects have been arrested by the police in Kaduna State in connection with a deadly attack and kidnapping incident that occurred in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area.
According to sources, the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday, September 5, at around 1:15 a.m., when gunmen stormed the Fulani Ruga settlement of Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim at Ardon Fanshanu, Gadangayan.
The attackers fatally shot Ibrahim’s son, Aminu Abubakar, during the invasion and abducted two residents identified as Bashiru Muhammad and Aliyu Muhammad.
The situation quickly drew the attention of security forces in the area. Officers from the Gadangayan and Amana police outposts, working in collaboration with other security agencies, began a coordinated operation to trace the criminals.
The trail led them to another Fulani Ruga settlement located in Kangimi village, also in Igabi Local Government Area. There, they discovered suspicious items including a live round of AK-47 ammunition, a yellow raincoat, and a charmed jacket believed to have been used for protection or spiritual cover during the crime.
Three individuals were arrested at the scene: Bature Bello, the owner of the Ruga settlement, his son Inuwa Bature, and a third suspect identified as Amadu Bello, also known as Gagare.
A police source involved in the operation said, “These suspects were found with exhibits believed to be connected to the crime. Intelligence and tracking helped us zero in on their location after the incident.”
Unfortunately, the two abducted victims, Bashiru and Aliyu, were later discovered in the bush with severe injuries. They were rushed to a nearby hospital but were confirmed dead by medical personnel upon arrival.
The arrest and recovery of items have been described as a breakthrough in the ongoing effort to combat kidnapping and violent crimes in the state. However, the community remains in mourning as the tragic loss of three lives has once again raised concerns about safety and the frequency of such attacks in rural areas.
The suspects and recovered items have been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation. Police say more arrests may follow as investigations continue.
Speaking on the development, a senior police official urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency.
“This success shows what can be achieved when the public and security forces work together. We will not rest until all those behind these attacks are brought to justice,” he added.
Kaduna State has faced repeated security challenges in recent years, especially in rural communities, where bandits and kidnappers have targeted residents, farmers, and herders.
The state government has been under pressure to improve security and provide more protection for vulnerable communities.
This latest incident highlights the ongoing struggle against insecurity in northern Nigeria and the importance of strong community policing and intelligence sharing in fighting crime.
