The Katsina State Command has successfully apprehended fourteen individuals connected to a range of criminal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, and theft. This was revealed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq, during a press briefing held on Wednesday in Katsina, the state capital.
The swift action was initiated under the directive of the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Abubakar Musa, who tasked a dedicated team of operatives with the mission of thoroughly investigating the incidents and ensuring that those responsible were brought to justice.
One of the most significant breakthroughs reported during the briefing was the arrest of a six-man syndicate, notorious for their reign of terror over the residents of Filin Polo Quarters and its surrounding areas. The police action followed numerous reports from victims and concerned residents who had been living in fear due to the syndicate’s criminal activities.
The suspects, all residents of the Filin Polo Quarters in Katsina Metropolis, were apprehended following a carefully planned sting operation. The individuals involved in this criminal network have been identified as Ismail Hamza, a 23-year-old male also known by the alias “Dawale,” Umar Faruq Aliyu, 20, alias “Lauya,” Yasir Jamilu, 19, alias “Kwame,” Abu Safiyanu, 20, alias “Gije,” Murtala Abubakar, 20, alias “Muri,” and Bello Yusuf, 25, alias “Yellow.”
The police’s swift response can be attributed to an incident that occurred on July 30, 2024, at approximately 2:20 a.m., when the suspects, armed with dangerous weapons including knives and cutlasses, conspired and forcibly entered the residence of one Muntari Usman, a 45-year-old resident of Filin Polo Quarters. The gang violently attacked Usman and robbed him of ₦1,850,000, a significant sum of money that represented the hard-earned savings of the victim.
Further investigations revealed that the syndicate was involved in another brazen act on August 11, 2024, at around 2:00 a.m. On this occasion, they conspired with an accomplice known only as Dan Bichi, who is currently on the run, to invade the homes of two women, Badiya Mansur, aged 20, and Fatima Mohammed, aged 40. The criminals stole a sheep and a ram, valued at ₦220,000. Their audacity did not end there; within half an hour, at approximately 2:30 a.m., the same syndicate broke into the home of another woman named Fatima Mohammed, aged 44. During this invasion, they stole two mobile phones—a ₦50,000 Infinix smartphone and a ₦15,000 Techno keypad phone.
As the investigation progressed, the suspects not only confessed to their involvement in these heinous crimes but also implicated Bello Yusuf, alias “Yellow,” as their accountant. Additionally, they named another accomplice, identified only as Sa’idu, who remains at large. The police were able to recover significant evidence from the suspects, including two sheep, one ram, and the stolen cash amounting to ₦1,850,000.
The Katsina State Command remains resolute in its pursuit of justice, with ongoing efforts to apprehend the fugitive suspects and dismantle any remaining elements of the criminal network. The Command’s success in this case serves as a strong message to other criminal elements within the state that the law will eventually catch up with them.
Residents of Katsina, particularly those in the Filin Polo Quarters, have expressed relief at the arrests, hoping that the swift action by the police will restore peace and security in their community. The Command has reassured the public that they will continue to intensify their efforts to protect lives and property, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
