Six suspected kidnappers linked to officer’s abduction nabbed in Kaduna

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of six individuals suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Silas Kundi and his son, Enoch Silas, in Kaduna State. The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anthony Placid, detailed how the suspects, despite collecting a substantial N24 million ransom, continued to hold the victims. This brazen act, even after receiving payment, underscores the ruthlessness of criminal syndicates operating in the region.

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Operatives of the FID-STS, acting on actionable digital intelligence, arrested Yusuf Shuaibu, Abubakar Bature, Yau Murtala, Bello Suleiman, Abdul Kareem Nuhu, and Ahmed Musa on April 3, 2026, in Kaduna State.

Operatives of the Force Intelligence Department's Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) apprehended the suspects in Kaduna following actionable digital intelligence. Preliminary investigations point to Yusuf Shuaibu as a key figure, a kidnapping kingpin allegedly connected to a notorious syndicate led by Kachalla Gwanna, with camps in the Rijana Forest. The arrest is a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to dismantle these criminal networks that have terrorized communities.

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Preliminary investigation revealed that Yusuf Shuaibu is a kidnapping kingpin with links to a notorious syndicate operating under a gang leader known as Kachalla Gwanna, with camps located in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State.

While the police successfully rescued Enoch Silas unharmed, efforts are still underway to secure the safe release of CSP Silas Kundi. This ongoing rescue operation highlights the complex and dangerous nature of these anti-kidnapping efforts. Furthermore, the investigation has revealed the suspects' alleged involvement in at least one other kidnapping case, where N18 million was reportedly paid as ransom before police operations led to the victims' rescue.

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Further investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in the abduction of CSP Silas Kundi and his son, Enoch Silas, from Kujama Town in October 2025, during which a ransom of N24,000,000 and other items was collected.

This operation, as reported by The Punch, demonstrates the police's commitment to tackling kidnapping, a pervasive security issue in Nigeria. The use of digital intelligence is a crucial development, signaling a more sophisticated approach to combating crime. However, the continued existence of notorious syndicates and the high ransoms collected indicate the deep-rooted challenges that remain. The ongoing efforts to apprehend fleeing members and recover weapons are critical next steps in restoring security and confidence in the affected areas.

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Despite this, the victims were not released until police intervention led to the rescue of Enoch Silas unharmed, while efforts are still ongoing to rescue CSP Silas Kundi.