Tag: katsina state

Police Arrest Several Suspects In Katsina Over Banditry, Rape And Other Crimes

 

The police in Katsina State have arrested several suspects in connection to banditry, gunrunning, rape, armed robbery and other related crimes in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Gambo Isah, disclosed this at a press briefing held on Friday at the command headquarters in the state.

According to Isah, one of the suspects, 27-year-old Aisha Nura from Baranda village, a Fulani settlement at Batsari Local Government Area of the state, was arrested on July 25, at about 09:00 am, based on a tip-off.

“Immediately she was searched, the sum of two million four hundred and five thousand naira was found in her possession suspected to be proceeds of arms supplied to bandits in Kaduna State”.

In the course of the investigation, the suspect admitted to committing the offense, saying she was sent to collect the money on behalf of her husband, Nura Alhaji Murnai, who is also a notorious bandit, from his counterparts in the Kaduna forest.

In a separate operation, the command on July 27, succeeded in busting five suspects belonging to a notorious group who had at different intervals raped a 17-year-old boy.

The command also on July 19 succeeded in arresting a member of a notorious armed robbery syndicate terrorizing Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

In the course of investigations, the suspect confessed to committing crimes and further stated that he conspired with two other persons Ila Lawal and Jamilu Murnai who are now at large.

The command has also confirmed the recovery of 15 wheelchairs and the arrest of an undisclosed number of suspected receivers of the wheelchairs donated last week by the Katsina State Government to some physically challenged persons in the state.

“After signing an agreement with the state government that the wheelchairs are not for sale, some unscrupulous persons among the beneficiaries sold them out at a cheaper price.

“The command is dismayed that wheelchairs bought by the State Government at the cost of N150,000 each were sold at N7,000.

“This singular attitude is an example of series of sabotage of government efforts by some citizens who have benefitted from various empowerment programs but have decided to throw them away. Investigation is ongoing,” Isah noted.

President Buhari Returns To Abuja From Daura

 

President Muhammadu Buhari is on his way to Abuja after spending eight days in his country home, Daura Katsina State.

Before his departure at about 4:00 pm on Friday, the president received the guard of honour from troops of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force operating under the 17 brigade and 213 Forward Operating Base respectively.

The State Governor, Aminu Masari, his deputy, Mannir Yakubu, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Tasiu Maigari and other top government functionaries including well-meaning citizens in the state amidst tight security personnel were on the ground at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport to bid farewell to the president.

Read Also: President Buhari Urges More Nigerians To Embrace Farming

 

Earlier in the week, the President commissioned a number of projects completed by both the federal and state governments, including the commissioning of Organic Integrated Farm Estate established by the National Land Development Authority (NALDA) located in the outskirts of Daura.

The farm has the capacity to generate over ₦1.7 billion in the first year.

During his stay in Daura, the President also joined Muslim faithful to mark the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.

Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the state also paid him a visit to mark the event.

In return, the President gifted them two cows, 20 bags of rice and ₦1million.

EFCC Arrest 20 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Katsina

Map of Katsina State used to illstrate the story.

 

At least 20 suspected internet fraudsters have been arrested in Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State by a team of operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kano Zonal Office.

The anti-graft agency in a statement on Friday said the arrest of the 20 suspects who are in their twenties was carried out following an intelligence report made available to them.

The team however dispatched and carried out a raid on the suspects’ hideouts and arrested them.

READ ALSO: Alleged N1.4bn Fraud: Court Acquits, Discharges Ex-NBA President Paul Usoro

“The suspects, who were mostly youths in their early twenties, were arrested by a team of operatives of the Commission following intelligence indicating that some internet fraudsters were perpetrating fraudulent activities around Dutsinma Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“On the strength of the intelligence, a team of operatives was dispatched and they effected a raid on their hideouts and arrested the suspects.

“Investigation is ongoing and indicted suspects will be charged to court,” the statement revealed,” the statement read in part.

The statement further revealed that investigation is ongoing concerning the suspects and they will soon be arraigned.

Buhari Reiterates Commitment To Prioritise Infrastructural Development

 

President Muhammadu Buhari has restated commitment to continue to give priority to infrastructure Development and improve water supply, sanitation and hygiene to better the lives of Nigerian citizens.

Access to adequate potable water supply, sanitation, and hygiene are according to the president part of the indices for socio-economic development of any nation.

The president was speaking in Katsina State while commissioning and handing over the recently completed Zobe Regional Water Treatment Plant Project located at Dutsinma Local Government Area of the state.

Buhari explained that since the inception of the present administration, serious commitment has been demonstrated in the development of the water sector through various efforts.

He urged the Federal Ministry of water resources to continue to work towards uplifting the national aspiration as well as meeting the target for water supply under the sustainable development goals 2030.

At Least 19 Famers Killed As Bandits Attack Katsina Community

Katsina, usually referred to as Katsina State to distinguish it from the city of Katsina, is a state in North West zone of Nigeria.
Katsina, usually referred to as Katsina State to distinguish it from the city of Katsina, is a state in North West zone of Nigeria.

 

At least 19 persons, mostly farmers, have been reportedly killed after bandits attacked Tsauwa Village in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Although the police are yet to confirm the incident, an eyewitness told Channels Television in a phone conversation on Tuesday that the hoodlums invaded the village late Monday night.

According to the eyewitness, the bandits who stormed the village on motorbikes and armed with sophisticated weapons started shooting sporadically even as they set the entire village ablaze.

A similar incident had occurred in the same villages on February 2, 2020, claiming the lives of 30 people, mostly women and children.

Batsari remains one of the danger zones of the state with its increasing reputation for banditry.

Despite a peace deal initiative of the current government, activities of Kidnapping for ransom and banditry have persisted.

Police Foil Kidnapping Attempt, Rescue Nine Victims In Katsina

Katsina, usually referred to as Katsina State to distinguish it from the city of Katsina, is a state in North West zone of Nigeria.

 

Police authorities in Katsina State have foiled a kidnapping attempt at Karijam village in Mahuta ward of Dandume Local Government Area of the state.

Nine kidnapped victims have also been rescued as many bandits escaped with various degrees of gunshots wounds during the failed operation.

The bandits reportedly invaded the village at about 23:00 hrs on Thursday, shooting sporadically with AK 47 rifles.

Police spokesman, SP Gambo Isah, in a statement issued on Friday, said the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Dandume Division on receipt of the report, led a team of policemen and blocked the possible exit route of the bandits at Kadawan Maikomo village in Sabuwa Local Government Area.

According to Isah the bandits followed through the route and fell into the police ambush.

“The team engaged the bandits into a fierce gun duel and successfully repelled them. The doggedness, uncommon courage and tactical operational strategy adopted by the Police officers made the bandits to flee into the forest with varying degree of bullets wounds.

“In the course of profiling the scene, all the nine abducted persons were rescued unhurt and some GSM phones and food items stolen from the village by the hoodlums were also recovered”.

The Command, therefore, urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies working at the front line areas by giving them credible information on bandits and their collaborators, especially those supplying them with arms and ammunition, informants and other essential commodities.

They assured members of the public that it will remain resolute and committed in the ongoing fight against recalcitrant bandits until they are arrested and dealt with according to the extant laws of the land.

Worshippers Kidnapped From Katsina Mosque Regain Freedom

Katsina, usually referred to as Katsina State to distinguish it from the city of Katsina, is a state in North West zone of Nigeria.
Map of Katsina State

 

At least 11 persons, including an infant, abducted from the Jibia mosque in Katsina State have regained freedom.

The worshippers were earlier abducted on Monday at a mosque located in the outskirt of Jibiya town of Katsina State while observing midnight prayers.

A local resident, Fahad Mukhtar told Channels Television that the victims escaped from their abductors on Wednesday afternoon in Zurmi Local Government Area of the neighboring Zamfara State.

READ ALSO: ‘We’ll Help In All Ways We Can’, Buhari Assures Chadian Transitional Leader

Their release, according to an eyewitness, was facilitated by a woman married to one of the bandits who untied them where they were kept and asked them to run away.

Those who escaped include eight males and three females.

The only victim left is a nursing mother whose infant was rescued but she could not make it because her legs were swollen and she couldn’t run.

The abductors are now demanding N10million ransom before they release her.

The police authorities in the state are to confirm the incident as phone calls put through the spokesman, SP Gambo Isah were not picked up.

Channels Television reported last week Monday, that, twelve Muslim worshippers were abducted by armed bandits while observing midnight prayers at a mosque located at the outskirts of Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.

An eyewitness said the gunmen stormed the mosque around 2:00 am shooting sporadically and finally abducted the worshippers.

The Nigerian Army days after the news of the abduction said the troops of 17 Brigade and police officers prevented bandits from abducting several worshippers in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina.

Military Spokesperson, Mohammed Yerima in a statement on Tuesday disclosed that a large number of bandits came firing sporadically in an attempt to disrupt the prayers and abduct worshippers from Magama Central Mosque.

He said the abductors were forced to abandon the hostages after a hot pursuit and the victims have been reunited with their families.

Insecurity: Daura Emirate Cancels Sallah Durbar Celebration

The Durbar celebration is a centuries-old procession of traditional leaders who ride lavishly decorated horses to greet the emir.

 

The Daura Emirate in Katsina State has canceled Durbar celebrations for the upcoming Eid-El-Fitr over the lingering security challenges in some parts of the state.

This was announced in a statement dated May 6 and signed by Danejin Daura, Alhaji Abdulmumini Salihu on behalf of the secretary of the council.

The statement further said that special prayers will be offered for sustainable peace in the state immediately after the Eid prayers on Sallah day.

“The focus will be on performing special prayers on the Sallah day as soon as the Eid prayers are performed.

READ ALSO: Bandits Release Father Of Zamfara Businessman, After One Month In Captivity

“You are by this notice to inform all the Imams to pray for President Muhammadu Buhari (Bayajida II) and other leaders for protection from all evils of the enemies of progress of this country, its stability, and its corporate existence,” the statement read in part.

It added that the Emir had instructed the District Heads to conduct the Eid prayers with the people in their domain and offer special prayers for lasting peace in the country immediately after the Eid prayer.

This year’s Eid-El-Fitr Sallah is expected to be observed either on Wednesday or Thursday as faithful across the country have so far observed 27 days fasting.

Four Bandit Leaders Surrender In Katsina, Give Up Machine Guns

 

Four bandit leaders on Thursday said they have denounced their illegal activities in Katsina state and surrendered 45 rustled cattle, two General Purpose machine guns, 24 AK 47 assault rifles, 109 GMPG ammunition, 95 7.62MM Live Ammunition, among others.

Katsina State is one of the regions worst hit by the activities of bandits across the country.

Last December, bandits kidnapped over 300 pupils from a boy’s secondary boarding school in Kankara, about two-hour drive from the state capital, Katsina.

The boys were released within a week after successful negotiations with the kidnappers, the Katsina government said.

It is not yet clear whether the bandits who surrendered on Thursday were granted amnesty.

The Federal Government has rejected the notion of amnesty for bandits but some state governments, especially those in the North-West, have been quite open to the idea.

Unconditional surrender

The four bandit leaders were identified as Sale Turwa, Mani Turwa, Ado Sarki, and Sani Mai-Daji and were reportedly residing in the thick forest of Illela in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Sanusi Buba disclosed this in a press conference held at the command headquarters, Katsina.

Buba explained that their surrender is part of the Katsina State Police Command’s effort in the ongoing onslaught against banditry, armed robbery, kidnapping, and other forms of crimes and criminality in the state.

A cross-section of guns surrendered by bandits in Katsina on April 8, 2021.
A cross-section of guns surrendered by bandits in Katsina on April 8, 2021.

 

He further explained that it’s also in line with Federal Government’s directive to all security agencies to clamp down on all marauding bandits in the forest, until either they are arrested, neutralized, or forced to surrender.

The police chief said the bandits came forward unconditionally.

“It became absolutely imperative at this juncture, to warn other recalcitrant bandits, who refuse to surrender, that nobody has a monopoly of violence and that government is mightier than any person or group of persons,” Buba said.

“The Nigeria Police Force and indeed other sister security agencies will leave no stone unturned in isolating and dealing decisively with any individual or group of unrepentant bandits that refused to surrender and keep hibernating in the forest.

“The Command wishes to assure the good people of the state that banditry and other crimes will soon be history as the Security Forces are on top of the situation.

Bandit leaders stand before their surrendered guns on April 8, 2021 in Katsina State.
Bandit leaders stand before their surrendered guns on April 8, 2021 in Katsina State.

 

“Members of the public are hereby enjoined to partner with the security agencies by providing useful information that will lead to the arrest of bandits and their collaborators, please.”

One of the repented leaders, Ado Sarki said: “We sat and discovered that what we were doing was not good after buying large catch of arms to protect our cattle and defend ourselves.

“We hereby surrendered and distance ourselves from various bandits groups in the forest. We have nothing to do with these arms. I promised and pledged to assist security agencies in an effort to fight anyone who’s not ready to repent.”

Nigeria Has Become Attractive To Kidnappers, Says Governor Masari

 

Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State says Nigeria has become economically attractive to kidnappers and bandits within the Sahel region of the continent. 

The governor who on Wednesday was on Channels Television’s Politics Today strongly opposed the idea of granting blanket amnesty to the bandits, stating that the idea is enabling the miscreants to continue with their crimes.

Masari argued that the security situation in the country has improved since the All Progressives Congress took the reigns.

“When we started in 2015 in the North-West, it was cattle-rustling. Gradually, it now developed into banditry, rape, kidnappings. When all that they (bandits) can steal from the villagers along the fringes finished, they moved to the rustling of goats, sheep, and even chicken.

“What we should do and what the government should do now is (about) high-profile kidnapping. In my state, they kidnapped four relatives of very senior government officials. When they cannot get anything to sustain themselves, they resort to high-profile kidnappings for money in cities and towns. That is the danger, that is something we must work hard to stop,” the governor opined.

READ ALSO: $1.5bn Rehabilitation Of Port Harcourt Refinery: I Will Not Jubilate – Wike

Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari speaks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on March 17, 2021.

 

Masari also kicked against the intervention of Sheikh Ahmad Gumi in quelling the banditry activities in the northwest.

He questioned the cleric’s knowledge on security issues.

“Was he there? What did he know about what we did in Kaduna? I challenge Gumi to come and tell us if he knows what we did in Kaduna,” the governor asked in reaction to Gumi’s stance on how the state government should handle banditry.

Speaking further on why he does not support Sheikh Gumi’s intervention, Masari said the cleric did not go about it the right way.

“I expect him to, first of all, preach to them (the bandits), the implication of killing innocent people and also the implication of abducting people and its consequences. That is what I expect a clergyman first and foremost to do,” the governor noted.

Katsina Govt Orders Reopening Of Four Boarding Schools

A file photo of Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari.

 

Katsina State Government has directed the reopening of four boarding schools in the state with effect from Tuesday, March 2 2021.

The State Commissioner for Education, Professor Badamasi Lawal Charanchi, gave the directive on Sunday after his meeting with top officials in the Ministry including the Permanent Secretaries and the 12 zonal inspectors of education, among others.

This comes barely one month after day schools in the state resumed academic activities sequel to an indefinite vacation following the abduction of 344 students of Government Science Secondary school, Kankara by bandits on December 11 2020.

The Commissioner while clarifying that boarding students in the four command schools in the state are to resume fully on Tuesday noted that the schools were Government Secondary Command School, Faskari, Government Secondary Command school, Musawa, Government Girls Command school, Barkiya and Police Secondary School, Mani.

According to the Commissioner, male students in the remaining boarding schools are to report at any nearest secondary school to their places of abode to continue their studies while their female counterparts should await further instruction from government.

Read Also: Gov Bello Meets Freed Kagara Abductees In Minna

He said: “All girls boarding secondary schools should hold on a little until security situation improves.”

“We want to see that schools reopen and the students back in classes to recover the lost grounds in the school curriculum. At the same time, we are not toying with their safety and we have the assurances of the support and cooperation of security operatives in this regard.

“We also seek for the prayers of our Emirs, religious leaders and other stakeholders to make Katsina safe ” Charanchi added.

The Commissioner further revealed that Katsina State had about 38 boarding schools.

Banditry: Police Bring Five Charges Against Ex-Katsina LG Caretaker Chairman

Katsina, usually referred to as Katsina State to distinguish it from the city of Katsina, is a state in North West zone of Nigeria.

 

The police have brought at least five charges against the former Caretaker Chairman of Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, Haruna Musa Mota, who was arrested for allegedly aiding banditry in the state.

The charges which include among others, criminal breach of trust; inciting disturbance; aiding and abetment of armed robbery; kidnapping and terrorism, were presented at the Chief Magistrate Court on Tuesday.

Mota who is currently remanded at a Katsina Correctional Centre, had been arrested in connection with the recent abduction of 344 students of Government Science Secondary school, Kankara.

Read Also: Kankara Schoolboys Abduction: Those Who Doubt FG’s Resolve To Protect Nigerians Are Mischievous – Garba Shehu

In the First Information Report (FIR), the police alleged that “On the 30, January 2021 at about 08:00 hours as a member of Katsina state Fulani/farmers reconciliation committee entrusted with the mandate of negotiating between bandits/ kidnappers /armed robbers in Katsina State, you breached the trust by deliberately using your Samsung GSM Phone with MTN Number:08032981919 in calling one well known armed bandits commander residing in Zamfara forest, Zamfara State who masterminded the kidnapping of the students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, sometime in December 2020, instigating him with unverified information regarding the release of said students.

“As a result of this information to the commander of the armed bandits by you, he informed his gang who are now rising against the government and people of Katsina State, threatening to continue terrorizing them for the money to be released to them. All these are contrary to sections 298, 78 and 47 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State, 2019.

Two police prosecutors on the case, namely ASP Isa Liti and ASP EM Garuba informed the court where Musa had been arraigned on Monday that investigation was still in progress on the case.

They requested a new date for the case to be mentioned and the presiding Chief Magistrate, Aminat Ibrahim, granted their request and adjourned the case till March 25, for mention.

She also directed that the Certified True Copy of the FIR be released to Mota’s counsel, Barrister Ahmed Dan Baba, as requested by him, directing that Mota be remanded at the correctional centre till March 25, when the case comes up before her for mention.