The Katsina State Police Command reported the arrest of 16 suspects for various offenses in the state.
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this during a press conference at the Command headquarters on Thursday, highlighting their recent achievements in crime prevention and public safety.
Sadiq detailed a series of successful operations that led to the apprehension of individuals involved in serious criminal activities.
Among the highlights was the dismantling of a seven-man syndicate linked to armed robbery.
“On September 8th, 2024, at about 0200hrs, the command succeeded in smashing a 7-man syndicate of suspected armed robbers responsible for robbing a motorist en route to deliver wrappers and materials valued at around four million naira (₦4,000,000.00),” Sadiq reported. He elaborated that the operatives from the Funtua Area Command acted on reliable intelligence, successfully arresting all members of the syndicate, who had used stones to block a point along the Kano-Zaria road, forcing the victim’s vehicle to stop. The robbers then tied up the driver and loaded the stolen goods into two operational vehicles—a maroon Volkswagen Golf III and an ash Ford Focus—both of which were recovered.”
In a separate operation, the police arrested three suspects found with a locally fabricated firearm.
“On August 28, 2024, at about 1600hrs, operatives attached to Dutsinma Area Command arrested the following suspects, Janaidu Yusuf, m, age 28, Abubakar Dahiru, m, age 27, Murtala Halliru, m, age 37, all of Machinjin village, Kankia LGA, Katsina State,” Sadiq explained.
This arrest was prompted by a social media post where Yusuf showcased a picture of himself brandishing the prohibited weapon, drawing the attention of the police. Upon questioning, Yusuf revealed that he had acquired the gun from Dahiru, who in turn had purchased it from Halliru, leading to their eventual apprehension.
Sadiq also highlighted a significant breakthrough with the capture of a notorious thief, Bala Muhammad, age 45, from Jabiri quarters in Funtua LGA.
“On September 8th, 2024, at about 0300hrs, operatives attached to Funtua Area Command apprehended the suspect in possession of a suspected stolen vehicle, one Volkswagen Golf III, ash in color, with registration number ZAR 982 YE,” he stated. Muhammad confessed to stealing the vehicle from a residence in Yakawada village, Giwa LGA, Kaduna State,” he said.
Additionally, the command arrested Umar Muhammed, 25, linked to theft and vandalism on September 2nd, 2024. After receiving a distress call regarding suspicious activities at Hassan Usman Polytechnic, police responded swiftly and apprehended Muhammed with vandalized armored cable, tools for theft, and information about accomplices now at large.
Another arrest involved Ahmad Sulaiman, who was caught with stolen electric service cable worth approximately fifty million naira (#50,000,000.00).
“On August 9th, 2024, a report was received at Sabon Gari Divisional Police Headquarters on a vandalization and theft of electric service cable at NAK steel rolling company, Katsina,” Sadiq elaborated, detailing how investigators traced the crime back to Sulaiman.
The command also made strides against motorcycle theft, with the arrest of Aliyu Masa’udu, age 18, on September 14th, 2024.
“Officers responded to a report on activities of a suspicious person in a residence at Dutsin Safe quarters. Upon arrival, the suspect was caught red-handed attempting to steal a motorcycle,” Sadiq reported. During interrogation, Masa’udu confessed to collaborating with two accomplices currently evading capture.
In a further operation on September 15, 2024, police apprehended Hussaini Idris, age 37, in possession of three suspected stolen solar panels. “Operatives attached to Sabon Gari Divisional Police Headquarters intercepted the suspect while transporting the solar panels in his vehicle, one Galaxy Ford, Ash color, with registration number KTN 398 YX,” Sadiq said, confirming that the solar panels were intended for a receiver now at large.
These arrests underscore the Katsina State Police Command’s unwavering commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of the community.
