The Kaduna State Police Command has announced the arrest of a notorious bandit identified as Abdulkarim Usman Maude, 33, from Tudun Wada Mariri, in Lere local government area of the state.

A statement issued by ASP Mansir Hassan, the spokesman of the command on Tuesday said: “On May 22, 2024, at 10 am, the Divisional Police Officer of Saminaka Division, acting on credible intelligence, successfully arrested a suspect identified as Abdulkarim Usman Maude, aged 33, from Tudun Wada Mariri. The arrest took place in Upara Warsapiti, Lere Local Government Area.

“Upon his arrest, the suspect was found in possession of a bag containing N347,000, a machete, and some criminal charms. During interrogation, Maude confessed to being involved in kidnapping for ransom along with one Alhaji Yakubu and two others from Binchim Village, Bassa LGA, Plateau State.”

The recovered money, according to the statement was identified as his share of the ransom collected from the kidnapping of two tractor operators, Yau Balele, 45, and Lukman Abubakar, 40, who were abducted on May 17, 2024, while working on the farm of Alhaji Gambo.

The victims, taken to Binchim Hills, Bassa LGA, Plateau State, were released on May 20, 2024.

According to the statement, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accomplices, while the suspect and the recovered exhibits have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, for further investigation.