NSCDC arrests 7 over kidnapping, Internet fraud

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna Command, has arrested two suspected kidnappers and five Internet fraudsters known as "Yahoo boys” in the state.

The two kidnap suspects, Suleiman Umar and Haruna Mohammed, were reportedly arrested along KadunaZaria highway near Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex, while the five suspected Internet fraudsters, three males and two females, were arrested at a hotel within the metropolis.

While parading the suspects, the state Commandant, Babangida Dutsinma, said the suspected kidnappers were alleged to have attempted to abduct six women in their commercial vehicle along Trade fair complex road.

He said they would be charged as soon as investigation was concluded.

One of the kidnap suspects, Sulaiman Umar, who was the driver of the vehicle, denied the allegation, saying the women were passengers in his car and that when he heard one of them screaming inside the car and he stopped to find out the problem.

"Honestly, I know nothing about the allegation because it was my vehicle which I use for commercial transport. Haruna who is a union member at Kawo garage brought them to me to convey them to Tashar Yari and we agreed they will pay me N700 each.

‘On our way I heard one of them shouting inside the car that Haruna, who was sitting at the back seat, touched her head and so she started screaming that he wanted to kidnap her,” he said.

He added that he insisted that security men should be invited and that was how they were brought to the Civil Defence office alongside the six women.

Haruna Mohammed also denied the allegation levelled against him, saying he is a union member at Kawo garage.

One of the suspected Internet fraudsters, identified as Kelechi, admitted to the crime, saying that he started Internet fraud three months ago because he was unemployed despite being a graduate.

He exonerated the two girls among them, saying they were innocent because they knew nothing about his activities.