Operatives of the Katsina State Police Command have arrested one Islamic cleric for masterminding the kidnap of his 4-year-old cousin, Umar Faruq.
SP. Isah Gambo, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, paraded the suspect before newsmen on Wednesday at the state police command.
The 39-year-old suspect, Jamilu Idris, who hails from Sabon-Fegi, Yankara village in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina State, confessed to have committed the crime.
While fielding questions from newsmen, he said:
“I am an Islamic teacher with not fewer than 40 students under my watch.
“I wanted to get some money from my uncle. So, I thought of kidnapping my little cousin. I went to my uncle’s house in Funtua LGA but met only the little boy. I bought him Viju drink and carried him in my car to Dutsen Alhaji in Abuja where I handed him to a relative under the guise that the little boy is an orphan in need of help.
“I subsequently returned back to Katsina. Using a phony voice, I called my uncle that is Faruq’s dad on phone to notify him of the development and demanded the sum of N5M if ever he wants to see his son again,”
SP Gambo said: “the boy’s father offered N500,000 to free his son, but the suspect declined. So, he decided to run to the police for help. In the course of investigation, the Islamic cleric was traced and he confessed to the crime.”
