Wanted kidnapper nabbed at Abuja airport enroute to Hajj pilgrimage

A man identified as Yahaya Zango, reportedly wanted for his alleged role in multiple kidnapping incidents, has been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) at the Hajj camp in Abuja.

The dramatic arrest occurred on Sunday during a routine screening exercise for Muslim pilgrims preparing to depart for the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.

A credible security source confirmed that Zango was apprehended at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport while submitting his travel documents.

According to the source, the DSS had been monitoring his movements and seized the opportunity to arrest him discreetly in the presence of other intending pilgrims.

“It was during the passport verification at the Hajj camp this afternoon that DSS operatives identified and arrested him. He was immediately taken into custody,” the source said.

Suspect Had Been on the Run

Zango is a resident of Paikon-Kore in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He had reportedly been on the run for several months following a coordinated manhunt launched by security agencies over his alleged involvement in high-profile abductions within and around the FCT.

While the DSS has yet to release an official statement on the arrest, a senior official of the Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, who asked not to be named, also confirmed the development.

The official added that the arrest did not disrupt the travel plans of other intending pilgrims.

Context: Nigeria’s Escalating Kidnapping Crisis

Zango’s arrest underscores the increasing use of religious or large public gatherings by criminal suspects to evade capture or disguise their identities.

The Hajj pilgrimage screening provided security agents with a rare chance to intercept the fugitive without triggering panic.

Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges, with kidnapping now recognized as a nationwide crisis. In the Northwest and North-Central regions, criminal gangs and armed bandits frequently carry out mass abductions for ransom, especially targeting rural communities, schools, and highways.

In the Northeast, Boko Haram and ISWAP remain active threats, engaging in violent insurgencies that have displaced millions since 2009.

In Southern Nigeria, criminal syndicates, including some operating under political or cult-like affiliations, also engage in kidnappings for ransom or political intimidation.

Security experts have called for increased use of biometric surveillance, inter-agency coordination, and technology to detect and apprehend fugitives attempting to flee through airports, seaports, or porous land borders.

Pilgrimage Not a Safe Haven This latest incident is a reminder that criminal suspects may attempt to exploit religious gatherings such as the Hajj to slip past law enforcement agencies.

It also demonstrates the importance of intelligence-driven operations and vigilance by national security personnel during such high-mobility periods. Zango’s arrest comes just days before the departure of Nigerian pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj, raising awareness about the need for enhanced screening and security checks to prevent other potential threats.

As of press time, the DSS has not issued a public statement, but further details are expected in the coming days.

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