At least fifteen suspects have been arrested by the Katsina State Police Command for allegedly committing various crimes in the State.
Among the suspects, were a seven-man syndicate of suspected armed robbers responsible for robbing a motorist en route to deliver wrappers and materials valued at about ₦4m.
In a statement signed by the Police Spokesman ASP Abubakar Sadiq on Friday, members of the syndicate were arrested on September 8th, 2024, at about 0200hrs, when operatives attached to the Funtua Area Command acted on intelligence.
He explained that the syndicate used stones to barricade a point along the Kano-Zaria road, forcing the driver to a stop, where they tied and pounced on the driver before loading the stolen items into two of their operational motor vehicles, one Volkswagen Golf III saloon, maroon colour, with Reg. No. KMC 850 AJ, and a Ford Focus, Ash colour, with Reg. No. RBC 873 XP, which was recovered and loaded with the stolen items.
He added that 94 bundles of wrappers and lace materials alongside two bundles of materials, all valued at about ₦4m were recovered during the search.
“Investigation further revealed that the suspects had stolen, on different dates and times, grains and cooking oil while using the two motor vehicles to facilitate their crimes. The investigation is still ongoing”, the statement noted.
In the meantime, the command has arrested three suspects in possession of a locally fabricated gun, as part of measures to reinforce its commitment to combating crime and ensuring public safety.
“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.
“The suspects were arrested following a meticulous investigation triggered by a social media post. The suspect, Janaidu Yusuf had sometime in August, 2024, posted a picture of himself brandishing a prohibited locally fabricated gun, which drew the attention of the command.
“Upon arrest, Junaidu confessed to having obtained the gun from one Abubakar Dahiru. Further investigation led to the arrest of the said Abubakar, who confessed to having purchased the gun from the 3rd suspect, Murtala Halliru, who upon arrest, could not give a satisfactory account of how he acquired the gun.
Exhibits recovered include one locally fabricated gun with four (4) rounds of live ammunition.
Investigation is still ongoing.