22-year-old Katsina man conspires with two others to kidnap his grandfather, collects N3m ransom from family

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old man, Sani Dikko, who allegedly conspired with two others to kidnap his grandfather and collected N3m ransom before his release.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.

According to the PPRO, Dikko was arrested alongside Kabir Sani, 22, and Salisu Bello, 22, during an operation by operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit along Marabar Shema Village in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area on September 12.

During preliminary investigation, Dikko voluntarily confessed to conspiring with the other suspects to kidnap his grandfather.

“The Katsina State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Ali Umar Fage, psc(+), mnips, has recorded operational successes in Dutsin-Ma and Kankia LGAs aimed at curbing kidnapping and banditry while ensuring the protection of lives and property throughout the state,” the statement read.

“On 12th September 2026, at about 8:23 pm, operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), while on a confidence-building patrol along Marabar Shema Village, acted on credible intelligence and successfully busted a three-man kidnap syndicate.

“The suspects were identified as: 1. Sani Dikko, m, aged 22 — Informant, 2. Kabir Sani, m, aged 22, 3. Salisu Bello, m, aged 22.

“During preliminary investigation, the suspects confessed to the commission of the offence.

“Specifically, Sani Dikko voluntarily confessed to conspiring with the other suspects to kidnap his grandfather, one Alhaji Lawal, about three (3) weeks ago.

“The victim spent 16 days in captivity before securing his release following the payment of a N3,000,000 ransom.

“All suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to unravel their wider criminal network.”