The Kano Police have arrested three people responsible for the kidnapping and murder of Atiku Mu’azu, a former Gombe State Permanent Secretary.
This swift action in the arrest of those accused of the murder of Atiku Mu`azu came just 24 hours after the incident.
While addressing journalists, the State Police Commissioner, Salman Dogo Garba, stated, “The suspects involved in the kidnapping and the tragic killing of one Alhaji Atiku Mu’azu, a crime that has left a mark of grief within our community, were arrested on credible intelligent networking.”
The Commissioner explained that on January 10, 2025, a report was received from a resident of Janbulo Quarters, Kano. The report indicated that on January 8, 2025, 64-year-old Atiku Mu’azu was kidnapped, and the perpetrators demanded a ransom of 20 million naira. “On receiving the report, we raised a team from the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and directed the rescue of the victim and arrest of the culprit(s). A sustained follow-up coupled with an intelligence-led operation resulted in the arrest of the suspects in connection with the case,” the Commissioner added.
The suspects include Abubakar Hassan, also known as Captain, a 33-year-old from Ringim Local Government Area (LGA), Jigawa State, who was identified as the mastermind behind the crime. Another suspect, Adamu Abubakar Adam, aged 29, from Sharada Quarters, Kano, was the person who received 2 million naira as ransom. Hamisu, also called Bakin Bross, aged 34 from Ringim LGA, Jigawa State, provided the location where the victim was held captive for three days.
Providing more details, the Commissioner said, “The principal suspect confessed to having singlehandedly kidnapped and lured the victim to Ringim LGA of Jigawa State under the pretense of taking him to Kazaure LGA, Jigawa State to collect his car from a mechanic. Instead, he conspired with four others including the mechanic of the victim, held him hostage and later killed him after collecting a ransom of two million naira, N2,000,000:00.” He also mentioned that the police recovered “a toy gun with six (6) rubber bullets” from the suspect.
The suspects are currently under investigation by the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and they will be charged to court after the investigation is complete.