a trans-national kidnap syndicate involved in the kidnap of an American
Citizen, Philippe Nathan Walton, on 28th October 2020 at his farm in
Masalata Village, Republic of Niger.
The suspects, Aliyu Abdullahi ‘m’ 21yrs a.k.a Mallam and Aliyu Umaru ‘m’
23yrs a.k.a Kwatte Kusu, both from Sokoto State, were arrested on 25th
November 2020, according to a statement signed by Force Spokesman, DCP
Frank Mba.
The two (2) suspects – members of a 15-man kidnap gang of
Nigerian/Nigerien extraction, led by Barte Dan Alhaji and Dan Buda –
were arrested following a special intelligence-led operation aimed at
arresting the criminal gang, disrupting and halting other criminal
activities by them.
Investigations by the Intelligence Response Team reveal that the gang
was plotting other abductions to avenge the death of their cohorts – 4
Nigeriens and 2 Nigerians who died during the rescue operations.
The Force is collaborating with its Nigerien counterpart in the
investigations to apprehend other members of the transnational syndicate
currently at large.
Meanwhile, as part of efforts at tackling transnational crimes, the
Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni is working in
concert with other members of the West African Police Chiefs
Organization (WAPCO) to deepen intelligence sharing amongst security
agencies in the ECOWAS sub-region and strengthen security along the
international borders of member States.
The suspects will be arraigned in court on completion of investigations.
Recall that U.S military commandos rescued Walton who was being held in
Nigeria after he had been kidnapped from his home in neighboring Niger
days earlier, the Pentagon said.
Defense officials said Walton had been taken Oct. 26 from his farm in
Massalata, Niger, by attackers who demanded ransom. Massalata is near
Niger’s border with Nigeria. Mr. Walton was living there with his wife
and young daughter, officials said.
During the predawn operation, led by members of the U.S. Navy’s SEAL
Team Six, U.S. forces killed six of Mr. Walton’s seven captors, defense
officials said.