The police in Jigawa have arrested 19 suspects for alleged abduction in the state.

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

Mr 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 police commissioner, Aliyu Sale.

He said the suspects were arrested when the team raided their hideouts on Monday 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,” Mr Shiisu said.

He said two bow and arrows, cutlass, knife, two cellphones, two charmed bulletproof jackets, solar panel and several charms and SIM packs were recovered from the suspects.

Mr Shiisu recalled that on September 4, at about 3:00 p.m., suspected armed hoodlums abducted 60-year-old Kabiru Ahmed at his residence in Taura town, Taura LGA.

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

The PPRO said this ignited a fire on the vehicle, but the police recorded no casualties. According to him, an investigation into the case is still ongoing, even as Mr Ahmed remains missing.