Kaduna Court Remands Two Suspects Over Alleged Child Kidnapping

By Umar Zubainatu Kambari

A Kaduna Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of two men, Danladi Usman, 23, and Nasir Ahmed, 26, in a correctional facility over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of two children in Kaduna State.

The defendants, whose residential addresses were not disclosed in court, are facing charges of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping.

The order was made on Tuesday by Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel, who declined to take the defendants’ plea on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The magistrate directed that the suspects be remanded in a correctional centre pending further legal proceedings.

He also instructed the police to forward the case file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice before the matter proceeds to a court with the appropriate jurisdiction.

The case was subsequently adjourned until July 26 for mention.

Earlier, the prosecution counsel, Inspector Chidi Leo, informed the court that the defendants allegedly conspired with another suspect, who is currently at large, to carry out the kidnapping.

According to the prosecutor, the incident occurred on May 24 at about 6:30 p.m. in the Millennium City area of Kaduna, where the suspects allegedly abducted two children from their parents’ residence with the intention of demanding a ransom for their release.

Leo told the court that the alleged crime was foiled following the swift intervention of residents in the neighbourhood, who reportedly became suspicious of the suspects’ activities and alerted the police.

He said security operatives responded promptly to the distress call, arrested the two suspects, and rescued the abducted children unharmed, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the third suspect, who remains at large.

The prosecutor further stated that investigations into the matter had been concluded and that the case was being processed for legal advice in line with the provisions of the law.

According to him, the alleged offences contravene Section 247 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2020 (as amended), which prescribes the death penalty upon conviction for kidnapping.

No application for bail was entertained during the proceedings due to the nature of the allegations and the court’s lack of jurisdiction over the matter.

The defendants are expected to remain in custody pending the outcome of the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions and their possible arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.