A new intelligence report reveals an extensive network of kidnappers and bandits operating across northern Nigeria, exposing connections between criminal kingpins, collaborators, and potentially politically exposed persons.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), citing a September 2020 report, provided a detailed analysis of suspects’ identities, movements, and alleged criminal activities across the North-West and North-East regions.

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North-West Axis: Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna Under Siege

The report identifies the North-West states of Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna as major hotspots for kidnapping and banditry, detailing the involvement of several high-profile suspects:

• Samaila Ibrahim (aka Kachalla, Dan Antuna), 24, operating between Kaduna and Katsina, is reportedly implicated in the abduction of Abdullahi Carpenter along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway. He is suspected of sourcing weapons and drugs through an associate, Iliya Kaya.
• Aliyu Abubakar Umar (aka Lalbi 1 and Laibi 2), 25, is linked to multiple kidnapping operations and allegedly maintains ties with law enforcement collaborators and local political figures.
• Aish Buhari, 35, is said to maintain international communications with contacts in France and Ghana, with strong links to the Lalbi network.
• Nasiru Mani (aka Sada Lawal), 26, active in Katsina, reportedly coordinates with Ibrahim Umaru (Ardo Alti) and receives communications from the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) at irregular hours, suggesting possible logistical support for criminal activities.
• Umar Sani (Uzairu), 83, maintains communications with suspected kidnappers at strategic flashpoints across the North-West.

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Supporting Network of Informants and Logistics Operators

The NFIU report also identifies individuals allegedly providing critical operational support, including ransom collection, logistics, and coordination across Katsina and Zamfara:

• Ashiru Salisu
• Shaaibu Sulaiman
• Sani Farouk

These actors are reported to play key roles in facilitating kidnappings and sustaining the broader network of criminal operations in the region.

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The intelligence underscores the complexity and sophistication of kidnapping syndicates in northern Nigeria, highlighting links between organized criminals and potential political or logistical enablers. Authorities say such insights are crucial for disrupting networks and improving security measures across vulnerable states.