The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old Sani Dikko, for allegedly conspiring with two others to kidnap his grandfather and collect ₦3 million in ransom before his release.

Dikko was arrested alongside Kabir Sani, 22, and Salisu Bello, 22, by operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit during a patrol along Marabar Shema Village in Dutsin-Ma Local Government Area.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Fage.

Aliyu said the suspects were arrested on September 12, 2026, at about 8:23pm after operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted the alleged three-man kidnapping syndicate during a confidence-building patrol.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations showed that Dikko allegedly conspired with the other suspects to abduct his grandfather, identified as Alhaji Lawal, about three weeks earlier.

The police said the victim spent 16 days in captivity before he was released following the payment of a ₦3 million ransom.

The command said the suspects confessed to the offence during preliminary investigation.

It added that Dikko was identified as an informant in the alleged operation, while Kabir Sani and Salisu Bello were also listed as members of the group.

The three suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue into their alleged activities and possible links to a wider criminal network.

In a separate operation, the police rescued two women who were abducted by suspected bandits during an attack on Sha’iskawa Fulani Village in Kankia Local Government Area.

The victims were identified as 45-year-old Assubi Rabe and 27-year-old Rabi Isyaku.

According to the police, the women were abducted at about 12:45am on September 14, 2026, when about eight armed bandits attacked the community.

The Kankia Divisional Police Officer reportedly mobilised police operatives to the area after receiving a distress call.

The responding team engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing the suspects to retreat into the surrounding bush.

The police said the operation enabled the officers to rescue both women unharmed.

The Commissioner of Police commended the operatives for what he described as their gallantry and professionalism, while reaffirming the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and banditry across the state.

Fage also urged residents to continue providing the police with timely and credible information to assist security agencies in responding quickly to criminal activities.