Nigerian forces rescue kidnapping victim and retrieve ₦10 million ransom in Kano forest

Background The incident centres on the abduction of Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, a resident of Falgore Village in Kano State. Most reports place the kidnapping on 11 October 2026, when the victim was allegedly returning from Yandoka market in Kaduna State around midnight. One source records the date as 11 September 2026, indicating a discrepancy in the timeline.

Joint security operation According to statements released by the Nigerian Army’s 3 Brigade, the rescue was carried out under Operation MESA. Major Babatunde Zubairu, the brigade’s assistant director of public relations, said the operation was launched after credible intelligence was received. The army worked alongside the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and local hunters, who are known locally as Yan Bula.

The coordinated ambush took place in Falgore Forest, within Doguwa Local Government Area. The security teams intercepted the abductors as they attempted to collect a ransom that had been demanded from the victim’s family in Yan Taburmi village. The ransom amount was reported as ₦10 million.

Casualties and ransom recovery All four sources agree that two individuals suspected of being kidnappers were neutralised during the encounter, while a third suspect escaped with injuries. The army’s account attributes the fatalities to its troops, whereas a police statement highlights the role of local hunters in killing the two suspects. Vanguard’s report also identifies one of the deceased as Dogo Isah, a commercial motorcyclist from Maigwanda village in Kaduna State.

Following the confrontation, a search of the area yielded the full ransom sum, which was subsequently handed back to the victim and his family, according to the army’s release.

Official reactions Brigadier General Saka Jimoh, commander of the 3 Brigade, praised the personnel involved for their alertness and professionalism, reaffirming the brigade’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal networks in the region. Kano State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori commended the Yan Bula hunters for supporting police efforts against kidnapping and banditry, noting that their activities complement official security operations.

The police public‑relations officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, directed local police units to continue searching the forest and surrounding areas for any remaining suspects. Both the army and police have urged the public to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing security initiatives in Kano State.

Context Kidnapping remains a persistent security challenge in northern Nigeria, prompting joint operations that combine military, police and community resources. The successful rescue and recovery of the ransom in this case illustrates the collaborative approach being promoted under Operation MESA and related state‑level initiatives such as Operation Kukan Kura.

The incident underscores the importance of intelligence‑driven interventions and community involvement in counter‑kidnapping efforts, while also highlighting occasional inconsistencies in reporting that can arise from multiple agencies documenting the same event.