Police Arrest Suspect Three Years After Kidnap of Kano Village Head

The Kano State Police Command has announced the arrest of a key suspect linked to the 2023 abduction of the Garun Babba village head, Alhaji Abdulmumini Mudi Zakari, bringing a breakthrough to a case that had remained unresolved for nearly three years. The suspect, identified as 27-year-old Usman Lawan Baba, also known as “Yellow,” was apprehended on October 2, 2025, at about 6:00 p.m. in Dakatsalle, Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State. Police said the arrest followed sustained intelligence gathering and a coordinated operation by detectives. According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the suspect confessed to participating in the abduction and admitted to receiving ₦6,000 as his share of the ransom. He also named several accomplices, some of whom have since been neutralized or are facing other criminal charges. Among those mentioned were Bello (“Kici-Kici”), reportedly killed during a security operation in Jigawa; Mallam Sale, neutralized in an armed robbery encounter; and Ruwa Shehu, who is currently serving time in a correctional facility over a kidnapping-related offense. The abduction of the village head occurred on August 9, 2023, when armed men stormed his residence, robbed him of cash, valuables, and abducted him. He was later rescued, but the incident heightened fears across communities already plagued by frequent attacks on traditional rulers and residents. Police said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate. The command reassured residents of its commitment to dismantling criminal networks across Kano and urged the public to remain vigilant and provide useful information to security agencies. Community leaders in Garun Babba have welcomed the arrest, describing it as a step toward restoring confidence in law enforcement. However, they also emphasized the need for successful prosecution, warning that arrests without justice would do little to deter future crimes. The suspect will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations, the police confirmed.