Sani Dutsinma
The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested four suspects over an alleged conspiracy to extort ₦30 million from a resident through anonymous phone calls and threats of kidnapping.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Birnin Kebbi, saying the suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, criminal intimidation through anonymous communication, and alleged threat to kidnap.
According to the statement, the suspects Muhammad Shafiu, Mansur Ibrahim, Aliyu Umar and Muhammad Suleiman were apprehended following a complaint lodged by Alhaji Aminu Garba Jega, who reported receiving several threatening telephone calls demanding a ransom of ₦30 million or risk being kidnapped.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly procured a new SIM card, which they used to repeatedly contact the victim. One of the suspects reportedly disguised his voice to sound like a Fulani man in an attempt to instill fear and conceal his identity.
The investigation further established that the fourth suspect, said to be a family friend of the complainant, allegedly provided the victim’s phone number and confidential family information, which the group used to facilitate the threats.
According to the police, operatives tracked and arrested the suspects at Gumbin Kure and Gamjeji villages in Maiyama Local Government Area, foiling the alleged plot before it could be executed.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Hadejia, has directed that a comprehensive investigation be conducted and the suspects prosecuted in accordance with the law if sufficient evidence is established.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of residents across the state and assured the public that all criminal activities would be met with decisive law enforcement action.
The Command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious phone calls, movements or activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency lines: 09039911876 and 07081074395.
The police assured residents that all information provided would be treated with the highest level of confidentiality as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety and combat crime across Kebbi State.