Niger: Police arrest man who allegedly hired kidnappers to kill farmer, take over land
The Niger State Police Command has apprehended a 29-year-old man, Godwin Yahaya, in connection with an alleged conspiracy to kidnap and murder farmer Jonah Isah in Zawudna village, located in the Munya Local Government Area.
Authorities reported that Yahaya allegedly hired an accomplice named Bashiru, who remains at large, to facilitate the abduction of Isah, a large-scale farmer, in exchange for ransom. According to a statement released Saturday by Police Public Relations Officer SP Wasiu Abiodun, the abduction took place on June 26, 2026, when Bashiru and his gang reportedly stormed Isah’s residence around midnight.
The attackers allegedly killed Isah and abducted several family members, along with three other individuals. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of 2.1 million naira for the victims’ release.
Following their recent rescue, the victims implicated Yahaya, identifying him as the individual who orchestrated the operation. On September 27, 2026, operatives from the Department of State Services arrested Yahaya in the Kuchi area and transferred him to the Sarkin-Pawa Police Division for further investigation.
During questioning, Yahaya reportedly confessed to hiring Bashiru to kidnap Isah, with plans to split the ransom. Investigators also allege that Yahaya subsequently took over Isah’s farmland for personal use after the farmer’s death.
Yahaya is currently undergoing additional investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna. Authorities are actively pursuing his alleged accomplices as they continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the murder and kidnapping conspiracy.
