A suspected Nigerian “kidnap kingpin”, who escaped in a shootout between the army and police, has been re-arrested. Police say Hamisu Bala Wadume was tracked down after a “massive manhunt” at his hideout in the northern state of Kano.
Two weeks ago, three officers and a civilian were shot dead by soldiers who attacked a police unit transporting him to the Regional Police headquarters. The army’s defense was that they thought the suspect was being escorted by kidnappers and not police officers. Wadume however admitted the soldiers helped him escape by cutting off his handcuffs.
He has been on the Police’s wanted list for several high-profile kidnap cases that include a recent abduction where a ransom of about 300 thousand dollars was paid.