The Police in Jigawa has arrested 19 suspects for alleged abduction in the state.

ASP Lawan Shiisu, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, confirmed the arrest in a statement in Dutse on Tuesday.

Shiisu said the suspects were arrested by a combined team of police, vigilante and local security network, known as ‘Yan Bulala, led by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Aliyu Sale.

He explained that the suspects were arrested on Monday, after the team raided their suspected hideouts in Ringim and Garki Local Government Areas of the state.

According to him, at 0700 and 1600hrs, a combined team of policemen from Ringim area command, Babura division, Taura division, vigilante group and Yan Bulala, led by CP AS Tafida, assisted by Ringim area commander, raided the suspected abductors’ hideouts at Galaga village in Ringim LGA and Fagen Gawo forest in Garki LGA.

“Three of the suspects were arrested in Galaga village while 16 of them were arrested in Fagen Gawo forest in Garki LGA.”

The PPRO added that two bow and arrows, a cutlass, a knife, two cellphones, two charmed bullet proof jackets, solar panel and several charms and SIM packs were recovered from the suspects.

Shiisu recalled that on Sept. 4, at about three p.m., suspected armed hoodlums abducted one 60-year-old, Alhaji Kabiru Ahmed at his residence in Taura town, Taura LGA.

He explained that upon receipt of a distress call from the area, a police patrol team in an improvised vehicle rushed to the area, where the hoodlums suddenly ambushed and shot at the vehicle.

This, the PPRO said, ignited a fire on the vehicle, but no casualty was recorded on the part of the police.

According to him, investigation into the case is still ongoing.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ahmed is yet to be found.