A 13-year-old boy, Umar Hassan and three other suspects, Lawai Umaru, age 70, Ibrahim Lawai, age 22 and Abdulganiyu Isah, age 22 were arrested by the Katsina State Police Command for providing information to the terrorists.

Briefing newsmen at the Command headquarters on Thursday, Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq said the informants’ action led to several attacks on villages and unsuspecting members of the public including cattle rustling and kidnapping among others in the State.

“On July 3, 2024, at about 0800 hrs, the command, in collaboration with members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC) attached to Dansoda village, Dandume LGA, Katsina State, succeeded in arresting one Umar Hassan, m., age 13, residing at Sheik Abdullahi quarters of Dandume town, Dandume LGA, in connection with a suspected case of aiding and abetting armed banditry.

“The suspect was arrested following the receipt of intelligence on his nefarious activities, where he specialises in providing information on villages and potential targets to suspected armed bandits.

“In the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed to the commission of the offence and further mentioned one Abba, now at large, as his accomplice.

“He further confessed to being part of the gang that attacked Unguwar Bawa village several times, where they kidnapped and rustled animals. The investigation is still ongoing,” ASP Sadiq said.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online learned that, based on credible intelligence on their activities, the trio of Lawai Umaru, Ibrahim Lawai, and Abdulganiyu Isah, all of Babbar Ruga village, Batagarawa LGA of Katsina State, were arrested for providing sensitive information to a suspected notorious terrorists’ leader, Mustafa Dan Gambo now at large.

During the course of interrogation, the suspects confessed to the crime as investigation is ongoing according to Sadiq.

Similarly, the Command said it has succeeded in arresting Musaddik Abdullahi of Kofar Kaura quarters, Katsina, Katsina State, a member of a notorious kidnapping for ransom syndicate.

According to the PPRO, the suspect was arrested following the receipt of a complaint letter on the disappearance of one Isiya Lawal of Sabuwar Unguwa quarters, Katsina.

“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Aliyu Abubakar Musa endorsed and detailed the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) for discreet investigation.

“Promptly, the OC AKU led a team of detectives and swung into action, where they successfully traced and arrested the suspect suspected to be in connection with the disappearance of the victim.

“During the course of interrogation, the suspect confessed to being part of a four-man kidnapping syndicate that kidnapped the victim, demanded a sum of six hundred thousand naira (₦600,000.00k) as ransom, and subsequently killed the victim. The investigation is still ongoing,” Sadiq added.

PUNCH