A married woman, Aisha Sani, along with five men, has been arraigned before the Minna Chief Magistrate Court on charges of alleged kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms.
The suspects — A’isha Sani, Abuh Mohammed, Daudu Mohammed, Mamman Sani, Shehu Arzika Laura, and Jibrin Ahmadu, all from various villages in Rijau Local Government Area — were ordered to be remanded in correctional custody by Chief Magistrate Hajiya Ummulkhatum Mohammed.
Their case has been adjourned until May 6 for further mention.
According to the Police First Information Report (FIR) marked MN/CM/CR/11/2025, the accused face four charges, including conspiracy, kidnapping, and illegal possession of firearms, all punishable under the Kidnapping and Cattle Rustling Law of Niger State 2016 and the Firearms Act Cap 28 of Niger State 2004.
Inspector Bello Mohammed Beji, the police prosecutor, told the court that on March 5, 2025, six armed men invaded the home of Malam Sarkin Noma Gata in Marrando village, shooting into the air to intimidate residents. During the attack, Gata was severely beaten, and his 22-year-old daughter, Mai-Kyau Malam, was abducted.
Beji stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects conspired to carry out the kidnapping, initially demanding a ransom of nine million naira before negotiating down to five million naira.
He further explained that a group of local hunters rescued the victim before the ransom could be delivered at Ari Gida Bush in Rijau.
When the charges were read, four of the defendants pleaded guilty, while two pleaded not guilty.
However, Chief Magistrate Mohammed ruled that her court lacked the jurisdiction to convict or sentence them, stating that only the High Court has the authority to handle such cases.
She directed the police prosecutor to file appropriate charges at the High Court and ordered the continued detention of the accused until the next hearing.