Uncle Sells Out Nephew’s Family to Kidnappers, Receives N200,000 Reward Out of N13m Ransom

A 50-year-old man, Ado Haruna, has been arrested for his involvement in conspiring with bandits to kidnap his nephew, Alhaji Bashiru Anas, and his family in Zaria, Kaduna State. Despite facilitating the abduction, which resulted in a N13 million ransom payment, four motorcycles, and N300,000 worth of Airtel recharge cards, Haruna only received N200,000 as his share of the reward.

Haruna, a resident of Angwa Kanawa Dutse Abba, reportedly led three bandits—Shago Yaro, Tanimu Ayuba, and Lamido Dantajiri—to his nephew’s residence, pretending to be a victim. The bandits arrived at the home of Alhaji Anas at about 1 am, but upon realizing he was not at home, they abducted his two wives, three children, his younger brother, and the brother’s wife. The victims were held for 60 days in captivity while negotiations for their release took place.

In a confession, Haruna admitted to leading the bandits to his nephew’s home but ensured that Anas did not see him. He stated that he used Alhaji Anas’ phone to communicate with the kidnappers during the period of captivity. Haruna revealed that the ransom paid was over N10 million, but he only received N200,000. He mentioned that he used the money to buy maize.

Haruna expressed surprise at his arrest, stating he didn’t know how the police discovered his involvement, but he attributed his actions to being “pushed into crime” by life circumstances.

Alongside Haruna’s arrest, police also apprehended Nyali Hassan, a notorious kidnapper linked to multiple abductions across Kano and Kaduna States. Hassan was arrested in Kano, where he was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines. During questioning, Hassan admitted to being part of a six-man kidnapping gang operating across Makarfi, Bari, Yankin Rago, and Beli towns. He detailed his criminal activities, stating he had kidnapped eight people over the past year, collecting between N1 million and N10 million in ransom for five of them.

Hassan, a father of ten, confessed that he was influenced into crime by friends who spent large amounts of money, prompting him to join the gang. He explained that the gang usually carried out their operations by ambushing victims on the road or visiting their homes, though they never killed anyone.

Security forces, according to the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, are intensifying efforts to apprehend the remaining gang members and recover their weapons.