Niger State police arrest man for allegedly hiring kidnappers to kill farmer

Police in Niger State have arrested 29-year-old Godwin Yahaya for allegedly conspiring to kidnap and kill a large-scale farmer, Jonah Isah, in Zawudna village, Munya Local Government Area.

According to the Niger State Police Command, Yahaya allegedly contracted an individual identified as Bashiru to abduct Isah for ransom. The attack took place on June 26, 2026, when a gang invaded the victim's residence, killed Isah, and abducted several family members along with three others. The kidnappers reportedly demanded a ransom of N2.1 million before releasing the victims.

Rescued victims implicated Yahaya, identifying him as the person who commissioned the operation. Investigators further alleged that following Isah's death, Yahaya took control of the deceased's farmland for his own use. Yahaya was arrested by Department of State Services operatives on September 27 and transferred to the Sarkin-Pawa Police Division. He is currently under investigation at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna, while authorities continue efforts to apprehend Bashiru and other accomplices.