The abductors of Alhaji Safiyanu Isah Andaha, the Executive Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Council of Nasarawa State have reportedly demanded a ransom of N50 million for his release.
NIGERIACRIME reported that the chairman was abducted alongside his friend, Adamu Umar Tanko on Monday night at Ningo village on the Akwanga-Andaha road, Nasarawa State at about 8:30 pm.
The development was disclosed by a family source who preferred to remain anonymous, stating that negotiations between the family and the kidnappers are currently underway.
Haruna Kassimu, the Special Adviser to the Nasarawa State Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, confirmed the kidnapping on the night of January 1st, stating that security agencies were actively engaged in pursuing the perpetrators.
DSP Ramhan Nansel, the State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, also verified the situation, assuring that the police, in collaboration with other security forces, are making concerted efforts to secure the release of the victims.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has arrested a 33-year-old suspected armed robber, Abu Abdulrahman, from the Mando area of Kaduna State.
Abdulrahman was involved in robbing traders transporting 64 bags of soybeans from Kano to Lagos.
The arrest followed a report of criminal conspiracy and robbery lodged at the Police Division in Mokwa town, the Headquarters of Mokwa Local Government Area in Niger State.
DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, announced the arrest while parading the suspect during a press conference at the Police Headquarters in Minna, the state capital.
According to Abiodun, the suspect, along with his accomplices, targeted a truck bearing registration number KMC 613 ZR loaded with approximately 700 bags of soybeans en route from Kano to Lagos.
The truck experienced mechanical issues at Tunga-Ruwa village via Mokwa, allowing the robbers to strike.
Armed with dangerous weapons, the assailants, who arrived in a J5 Peugeot vehicle with registration number KJA 127 YC, immobilized the truck’s crew and offloaded 64 bags of soybeans into their vehicle.
Abiodun said police intercepted the J5 vehicle around Lafiagi in Mokwa.
During the operation, Abu Abdulrahman was apprehended while his accomplices managed to escape.
In his statement during police interrogation, Abdulrahman implicated others involved in the criminal act, mentioning a buyer of the stolen soybeans in Kaduna, Adamu from Zaria, and two other accomplices currently at large.
The police are conducting further investigations into the case to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.