By Paschal Norbert
KADUNA, MARCH 29, 2024 (CISA)- The leader of a kidnapping syndicate responsible for the attack at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, in the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, during which a young seminarian was burned alive, has been apprehended by the Kaduna State Police.
A statement by the State’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan disclosed that Yakubu Said, popularly known as Ismail, and the alleged mastermind and leader of the notorious kidnapping gang, was apprehended in Zango urban area on March 22, 2024, over the allegations of banditry, culpable homicide and mischief by fire.
ASP Hassan also noted that the suspect confessed to his involvement in the September 7, 2023, attack and arson that claimed the life of Seminarian Stephen Naaman.
His arrest comes about seven months after bandits attacked and also set ablaze the church’s rectory after a failed attempt to abduct two priests working in the parish.
