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Two suspected kidnappers have been killed by local hunters in Kano state, while the ₦10 million ransom collected for the release of a kidnapped man was recovered during an ambush in Falgore Forest, Doguwa Local Government Area (LGA).
The Kano state Police command said the incident occurred around midnight on Saturday when three suspected bandits reportedly emerged from the forest to collect the ransom demanded for the release of their victim, 45-year-old Kabiru Aliyu, a resident of Falgore village. Blueprint reports
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed the development in a statement, explaining that Aliyu was released unharmed after the suspects collected the money.
According to the police, Aliyu was abducted on September 11, 2026, and spent several days in captivity before his release.
Hunters ambush suspects after ransom collection
The police said the suspects were ambushed by local hunters, popularly known as Yan Bula, shortly after collecting the ransom and releasing the victim.
During the operation, two of the suspected kidnappers were killed, while the third reportedly escaped with injuries. The entire ₦10 million ransom was recovered intact from the two suspects killed during the encounter.
“The incident occurred at about midnight on Saturday, when three suspected bandits allegedly emerged from Falgore Forest to collect the money demanded for Aliyu’s release,” the police statement said.
The command added that preliminary investigations identified one of the suspects killed as Dogo Isah, a commercial motorcycle rider from Maigwanda Village in Kubau LGA of Kaduna state.
Police said the suspects were believed to have come from Maigwanda village before the incident.
The identity of the second suspect was not disclosed in the statement, while the whereabouts of the fleeing suspect remained unknown as of the time of the report.
Police launch search for fleeing suspect
Following the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, directed the Area Commander, Divisional Police Officers and tactical teams operating in the area to intensify the search for the fleeing suspect.
The teams were also instructed to comb Falgore Forest and surrounding communities in an effort to apprehend the injured suspect and recover any weapons allegedly used by the group.
Bakori commended the Yan Bula hunters for their intervention, noting that their activities continued to complement police efforts to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in the state.
The commissioner said the operation was part of the broader security response under Operation Kukan Kura, which is aimed at combating criminal activities in affected areas.
The police command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to provide security agencies with credible information that could assist ongoing operations.
Victim reunited with family
The police confirmed that Aliyu had been debriefed, medically examined and reunited with his family after his release.
His recovery without reported physical harm brought an end to the immediate ordeal associated with his abduction, although the incident also highlighted the continued threat posed by kidnapping gangs operating around forested areas.
The recovery of the ransom may provide investigators with leads as they pursue the fleeing suspect and investigate the activities of the group.
However, the police had not disclosed further details about the circumstances of Aliyu’s abduction, the negotiations leading to the payment or whether any additional suspects had been arrested in connection with the case.
Forest communities remain a security concern
Falgore Forest and surrounding rural communities have featured in security concerns involving suspected criminal groups, with difficult terrain posing challenges for surveillance and security operations.
The latest incident also underscores the role local hunters and community-based security groups can play in supporting formal security agencies, particularly in areas where residents possess knowledge of local routes and surrounding terrain.
Nevertheless, the police-directed search for the fleeing suspect will be important in determining whether other members of the alleged kidnapping group remain active and whether weapons or other evidence can be recovered.
The Kano state Police command urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies as efforts continue to prevent further cases of kidnapping and other violent crimes.
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