Security operatives have uncovered a bizarre plot where a 29-year-old man, Godwin Yahaya, allegedly contracted a gang of kidnappers to assassinate a wealthy farmer and illegally seize his land in Niger State, according to a report by THENEWSCREDIT.

The suspect, who has been taken into police custody, reportedly targeted Jonah Isah, a prominent, large-scale farmer residing in Zawudna village within the Munya Local Government Area.

According to a statement issued by the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, and reported by THENEWSCREDIT, the horrific scheme dates back to 2024 when Yahaya first approached an accomplice identified as Bashiru—who remains at large—to coordinate the abduction of Isah for ransom.

The sinister plot was executed on June 26, 2026. Around midnight, Bashiru and his heavily armed gang stormed the victim’s home, brutally killing the farmer before abducting several members of his family along with three other villagers. The criminal syndicate subsequently extorted N2.1 million in ransom from the grieving family before freeing the remaining hostages.

THENEWSCREDIT reports that the tables turned on Yahaya when the recently rescued hostages came forward. The victims implicated him, stating that during their terrifying captivity, the abductors openly identified Yahaya as the mastermind who financed and commissioned the entire operation.

Acting on this intelligence, operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) tracked down and arrested Yahaya in the Kuchi area on September 27, 2026. He was subsequently handed over to the Sarkin-Pawa Police Division.

Police authorities revealed that during interrogation, Yahaya confessed to orchestrating the abduction with Bashiru to share the lucrative ransom money. Furthermore, police investigations proved that immediately following Isah`s murder, Yahaya took full possession of the deceased farmer’s vast agricultural fields for his personal use.

The Niger State Police Command confirmed that the suspect is currently undergoing rigorous questioning at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna. A manhunt is actively underway to apprehend Bashiru and all remaining members of the murderous syndicate to fully uncover the conspiracy.