Operatives of the Bauchi Police Command have arrested 41-year-old Abdullahi Mohammed, who allegedly faked his own kidnap to defraud his family.
Also arrested was his accomplice, Haruna Saidu, 35.
The Nation gathered that Mohammed’s brother, Tijanni of Sabon Fegi Lafia in Nassarawa state, had reported at the Police Area Command in Nassarawa that his elder brother had left home to Kano state for business, only for him to call and informed them that he has been kidnapped along with others while on business trip to Zamfara.
Mohammed was said to have told Tijjani that his abductors demanded N10 million for his release.
The demand was later reduced to N1 million after negotiations.
Parading the duo at the Bauchi command headquarters, police spokesman Kamal Datti Abubakar, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), said: “On May 12, Tijjani Mohammed reported at the Police Area Command, Nasarawa that his elder brother, Abdullahi called that he was kidnapped along with others while on a business trip to Zamfara.
Abubakar said:
“The abductors demanded N10 million for his release, however, after negotiation with the alleged kidnappers, it was reduced to N1 million. Mohammed directed his family to bring the ransom to Bauchi state.“On receipt of the information, the Bauchi Police Command swung into action and arrested Haruna Saidu of Gamawa Local Government Area in Bauchi, who came to collect the ransom. It was discovered that the alleged hostage and victim, Abdullahi Mohammed was at the resident of Saidu.“Investigation revealed that Abdullahi Mohammed, whose vegetable business had collapsed, conspired with his friend to stage false kidnapping in order to force his family to pay the ransom.”
