The incident occurred on August 9, 2022 during which the village head was abducted and dispossessed of N2.75 million, a phone and wristwatch.
Upon receipt of the report, a combined team of policemen from the Command’s Anti-kidnapping Squad, Operatives of Garun Mallam Divisional Police Headquarters, immediately swung into action and trailed the perpetrators, who later abandoned the village head. The victim was rescued unhurt and three motorcycles used by the criminals were recovered.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, October 4, 2025 said the suspect, Usman Lawan Baba, also known as “Yellow,” confessed to the crime and revealed the identities of his accomplices.
“The Kano State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its fight against kidnapping and armed robbery with the arrest of one Usman Lawan Baba, also known as “Yellow,” a 27-year-old male from Dakatsalle, Zango Ranka, Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State,” the statement read.
“The arrest was made on 2nd October 2025 at approximately 1800hrs in connection with a kidnapping and armed robbery incident involving the Village Head of Garun Babba, Alhaji Abdulmumini Mudi Zakari, aged 41, which occurred on 9th August 2022.
“During the incident, the victim was kidnapped and robbed of two million seven hundred and fifty thousand naira (₦2,750,000), a Tecno Kevo 4 handset, and a wristwatch. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, the victim was successfully rescued as the suspects attempted to flee the town.
“The arrested suspect, Usman Lawan Baba, has confessed to the crime and admitted to receiving six thousand naira (₦6,000) as his share of the stolen money. He also revealed the identities of his accomplices, including: 1. Bello Kici-Kici of Falgore Village, Doguwa LGA, Kano State, who was neutralized by the Police during a kidnapping operation in Jigawa State, with an AK-47 rifle recovered. 2. Mallam Sale of Gezawa LGA, who was neutralized by the Police during an armed robbery incident in Gezawa LGA, Kano State. 3. Ruwa Shehu of Gafan Village, Bebeji LGA, Kano State, who is currently in a correctional facility for a kidnapping-related offense. 4. Other accomplices, including Ibrahim Gwanja, Sule Naye, and an unidentified individual, have been linked to the case and are under further investigation.
“The suspect will be charged to court upon the completion of the investigation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, sfipma, mnim, mnips, masis, commends the public for their continued support and cooperation in the fight against crime and acknowledges the outstanding efforts of the operatives involved in the operation. He reiterates the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of Kano State.
