One of the suspects paraded by the Katsina State Police Command, yesterday, disclosed that he was paid N20,000 to watch over victims kidnapped in the Rugu Forest.
Abubakar Saidu told journalists during the parade that he is a gang member of a notorious kidnap kingpin, Tsohon Buhari popularly known as Buharin Daji, operating from the dreaded Rugu forest, Katsina, but killed in Zamfara.
He said Buharin Daji recruited him to rear rustled animals and pays him in return with a cow yearly.
He said after the demise of the kingpin, Buharin Daji, he was introduced to another notorious bandit, known as Kachalla Ruga, who seems to have taken over the position of Buharin Daji to operate from the forest and on the watch list of the police.
“Initially, I reside in Birnin Gwari and work under the notorious bandit, Buharin Daji. He recruited me to rear rustled animals for him and pays me in return with a cow every year.
“After his demise, I was introduced by a relation, known as Auta to Kachalla Ruga whom I currently work with.
“We kidnap and engage in robbery.
“Though I don’t go to kidnap people with them. My job is to guard. I watch over victims of kidnap. They kept four kidnap victims under my custody. I was only giving N20,000 for the kidnapping.
“I was invited from Runka forest by Kachalla. We were on our way to Rugu forest when we were arrested. Arms recovered in my possession were put on my body by bad people who don’t like me,” he said.
Saidu’s cohort, Adamu Haruna, whose motorcycle they were riding on when they were arrested by the police, confessed that he takes food to the kidnappers in the forest.
“Kachalla Ruga sent me on an errand. I take food to them in the forest. He sent me to buy rice, other foodstuffs and ingredients for him,” Haruna said.
Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Wakili, who addressed newsmen before parading the suspects, said men of the Safer High Way and Police Patrol Team attached to Batsari Division, Katsina state, arrested the duo of Abubakar Saidu and Adamu Haruna with one empty Shell of GPMG ammunition found in their possession.
