Security Guard Arrested over Kidnap of Niger Monarch

A male suspect has been arrested in connection with last Saturday kidnap of Niger State traditional ruler, the Dodo of Wawa in the Borgu Emirate, Dr. Mahmud Aliyu.

The suspect, who was apprehended last Monday, was said to be a security man recruited by the monarch about two months ago.

A source close to the Dodo of Wawa’s palace said the security man was recruited from Benin Republic to give protection to the traditional ruler, but a week before the abduction of Aliyu, the security man took permission to return to Benin Republic to attend to some pressing family problems, a request which the monarch granted.

However, it was gathered that the security man, whose name was not divulged to THISDAY, did not travel out of Wawa, as he was seen in the town by members of the community.

THISDAY also learnt that the arrest of the security guard was as a consequence of his appearance within the monarch’s palace a few hours before the kidnap took place, only for him to disappear from the area again.

However, palace sources said such information was given to security operatives investigating the incident, which led to the arrest of the security man.

Palace sources also informed THISDAY that the involvement of a woman in the kidnap of Aliyu must have been deliberately made by the abductors to neutralise any supernatural power the traditional ruler could have had, which would have made him to disappear.