adminOperatives of the Nigerian Police Force have successfully apprehended a key suspect believed to be involved in the abduction and tragic murder of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, the daughter of a Bwari lawyer. The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Bello Mohammed from Zamfara state, was captured during a raid on a Kaduna hotel on January 20th, where he was found in possession of N2.25 million in suspected ransom money.
Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, a 400-level student of Biological Science at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was one of the victims of a mass abduction that took place on January 2nd, 2024. The kidnappers had targeted the Sagwari Estate Layout in the Dutsen-Alhaji area, leading to the abduction of 19 individuals, including Nabeeha and her siblings. The criminals demanded a ransom of N700 million for the release of nine of their victims.
Tragically, four hostages, including Nabeeha and 13-year-old Folashade Ariyo, lost their lives during the ordeal. Nabeeha and her siblings were kidnapped alongside their father, Alhaji Mansoor Al-Kadriyar.
In a statement released on Sunday, the police revealed that Bello Mohammed confessed to being part of the gang responsible for the Bwari kidnappings. The suspect admitted to the murder of some of their victims, including Nabeeha, at a camp in Kaduna State on January 13th.
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According to the statement, Mohammed attempted to bribe the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Idris Ibrahim, with N1 million during the operation, but the DPO rejected the inducement and proceeded with the arrest.
“The suspect, during interrogation, confessed to being part of the gang that kidnapped the family members of one Barrister Ariyo in Bwari, FCT, on 2nd January 2024, and killed some kidnapped victims, including Nabeeha, in a kidnappers camp, in Kaduna State,” the statement noted.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., has ordered the transfer of the suspect to the IRT in Abuja for further investigations. Mohammed is currently assisting the police in their inquiries, and the IGP commended the commitment and professionalism of the DPO in charge of the operation.
Egbetokun assured the public that the police would spare no effort in dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian citizens. The suspect’s revelations also implicated five bandits who have already been neutralized by the police in Kaduna, along with the destruction of their deadly camp. The investigation will continue to identify and apprehend all individuals responsible for the heinous crimes.
“The police would leave no stone unturned in decimating criminally minded individuals and bequeathing to Nigerians a more secure society,” the IGP stated.
