Local hunters in Kano State have killed two suspected bandits and recovered N10 million ransom after a kidnapped victim was
Local hunters in Kano State have killed two suspected bandits and recovered N10 million ransom after a kidnapped victim was released unharmed in an operation around Falgore Forest in Doguwa Local Government Area.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday when three suspected bandits allegedly collected the ransom demanded for the release of Kabiru Aliyu, 45, a resident of Falgore Village, who was abducted on September 11, 2026.
The Kano State Police Command, in a statement issued on Saturday by its Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the suspects were ambushed by local hunters, popularly known as Yan Bula, while returning to their hideout in Falgore Forest after collecting the money.
Two of the suspects were killed during the encounter, while the third escaped with injuries. The entire N10 million ransom was recovered intact, according to the police.
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The command said preliminary investigations identified one of the deceased suspects as Dogo Isah, a commercial motorcycle operator from Maigwanda Village in Kubau Local Government Area of neighbouring Kaduna State.
The police said the operation was part of ongoing efforts under Operation Kukan Kura, a security initiative aimed at tackling kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in Kano State.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the hunters for their contribution to security operations in the Falgore Forest axis, noting that their efforts complemented those of conventional security agencies.
Bakori also directed the area commander, divisional police officers and tactical teams operating in the area to intensify searches for the fleeing suspect and recover any weapons that might have been used by the gang.
The rescued victim has been debriefed, medically examined and reunited with his family, the police said.
Falgore Forest, which extends across parts of Kano’s southern axis, has remained an area of security concern because of reported criminal activities, including kidnapping and banditry. Its location and surrounding rural communities make sustained surveillance and cooperation between security agencies and local vigilante groups important to efforts to protect residents.
The latest operation underscores the role of community-based security groups in supporting formal policing, particularly in rural areas where difficult terrain can complicate security operations.
However, the escape of the third suspect means security personnel must continue efforts to track down other members of the suspected gang and establish whether they are connected to additional kidnapping incidents in the area.
The police command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing and investi
gating criminal activities.
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