Katsina State Police Command says On Monday, 22nd March, 2021 at about 06:30hrs, there was a fire incident at Katsina Central Market, Katsina.

Consequently, fire fighters and security personnel were deployed to the market to extinguish the fire and provide security at the market respectively.

The fire gutted many shops and stalls in the market. Shop owners and their staff whose shops were not touched by the fire rushed to evacuate their goods.

But unfortunately, some disgruntled elements took advantage of the situation, broke shops and steal from them, while others shoplifted from open shops and stalls in the market.

The Command succeeded in arresting thirty-four suspected looters who stole large quantity of goods worth thousands of naira. They are:

Shamsu Abdullahi
Zaharadden Umar
Salihu Hamisu
Abdulfatah Ilu
Yunusa Abdullahi
Aliyu Salisu
Zakari Mansir
Usman Mani
Hussaini Abdulrahman
Yusuf Muntari
Mustapha Balarabe
Murtala Sabi’u
Sama’ila Yahaya
Auwal Bello
Ibrahim Kabir Sada
Sani Lawal
Shamsu Idris
Usman Sanusi
Shu’aibu Abubakar
Shamsu Mamman
Shehu Lawal
Yusuf Harisu
Ibrahim Yahaya
Mustapha Muntari
Isah Masa’udu
Safiyanu Abubakar
Abubakar Babangida
Tukur Lawal
Kabir Lawal
Mubarak Ibrahim
Ibrahim Abdullahi
Kamala Hambali
Abubakar Aliyu
Muhammadu Abbas
Investigation is ongoing. Suspects will be charged to court as soon as investigation is completed.

ARREST OF NOTORIOUS BANDITS AND THIER INFORMERS: On the 17/3/2021 at about 1330hrs based on credible intelligence, the command succeeded in arresting the duo of one Hassan Magu alias ‘Dan Giwa’ aged 20yrs and one Salisu Lado alias “Yeroji” aged 25yrs both of Zango village, Kankara LGA of Katsina state, now residing at Mutu forest, Mada, Gusau LGA of Zamfara state, notorious bandits and members of a kidnapping for ransom syndicate terrorizing Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna states. Nemesis caught up with the suspects when they were accosted while on their way into Dandume LGA to perpetrate their nefarious act of kidnapping. In the course of investigation, suspects confessed to belong to the camp of two notorious bandits’ leaders of one ‘Bazamfare’ And ‘Na Allah Jan Mariri’ residing in Mutu forest of Zamfara state terrorizing FASKARI LGA and its environs. They confessed to have participated in various attacks on villages in Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna states.

Similarly, on 18/03/2021 at about 18:20hrs, the Command succeeded in arresting the duo one Bilyaminu Mamman, ‘M’, aged 30yrs of Unguwar Bika village and Halliru Abubakar, ‘M’, aged 35yrs of Zari village of Faskari LGA, who specialize in giving information to bandits in the forest. Investigation is ongoing.

ARREST OF SUSPECTED BANDITS AND RECOVERY OF TWO (2) AK-47 RIFLES: On 17/03/2021 at about 03:30hrs, bandits numbering about ten (10), armed with AK 47 rifles, invaded the residence of one Alh. Ibrahim Jargaba, ‘M’, of Jargaba village, Bakori LGA, shot and killed him and kidnapped his two children to unknown destination. Subsequently, on 18/03/2021 at about 1430hrs, the command in collaboration with vigilante group succeeded in arresting the duo of one Bara’u Dauda ‘m’ aged 25yrs of Gandun Karfi Village, Malumfashi LGA and one Idi Alh. Tinau ‘m’ of Unguwar Kiri, Jargaba Village, Bakori LGA, notorious bandits, in connection with the commission of the offence. In the course of investigation, two AK-47 rifles were recovered not far away from the scene of crime. Investigation is ongoing

BUSTING OF A NOTORIOUS SYNDICATE OF FRAUDSTERS:- On the 01/02/2021 at about 1200hrs the command succeeded in busting a syndicate of notorious fraudsters who specializes in defrauding unsuspecting members of the public through phone calls by posing as spirits (ALJANU). Nemesis caught up with the trio of (1) Usman Adamu, “M”, aged 40yrs of Tudun Bujuwa, Kurnar Asabe of Kano state 2. Abba Ibrahim, ‘M’, aged 38yrs of Nankaura Quarters, Kano state and (3) Abdurrauf Iliyasu, ‘M’, aged 39yrs of Sharifai Quarters, Kano state when they called one Jamila Sulaiman, ‘F’, of Yar-Gamji village, Batagarawa LGA through her GSM, that they are spirits (Aljannu), and directed her to go to the outskirt of Yar-Gamji village and drop the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand naira, (N150,000:00K) or risked her parents or children being killed by the spirits. The victim out of fear took the money to that location and drop the money. Furthermore, she transferred another money, the sum of ninety-seven thousand naira (N97,000:00k) into the hoodlums’ account. Totally, the sum of two hundred and forty-seven thousand naira (N247,000:00K) was collected from her by the hoodlums. In the course of investigation, suspects were trailed and arrested; they confessed to the commission of the offence and other similar offences. Investigation is ongoing.

RESCUE OF THIRTY HUMAN TRAFFICKING VICTIMS: On the 16/3/2021 at about 22:30hrs, based on credible intelligence, DPO Mai’adua and team raided a hideout of human trafficking syndicate at Kwangolom village, a location between the Nigeria and Niger Republic border and succeeded in rescuing thirty victims of human trafficking, consisting of 12 male and 18 female. They are:
Ibrahim Adeboye ‘M’ of 41 Aged Years of Ila Oragun Osun State.
Isah Ibrahim ‘M’ Aged 27 Years Ghana
Osueke Chigbo ‘M’ 25 Years of Mpa Lga Of Imo State
Fredrick Dayo ‘M’ 35 Years of Benin City Edo State
Tayo Odeunsi ‘M’ 43 Years of Ikorodu Lagos State
John Epe ‘M’ 38 Years of Urobo LGA, Delta State
Bioye Abiodun ‘M’ 26 Years Ekiti State
Emmanuel Isesele ‘M’ 39 Years Benin City Edo State
Sunday Wali ‘M’ 28 Years of Eini Lga Ekiti State
Jolly Ighavonge ‘M’ of Benin City Edo State
Henry Chibueke ‘M’ 25 Years of Imo State
Izuchukwu Cyril ‘M’ Aged 25 Years of Imo State
Agabi M. Jummai ‘F’ Aged 23 Years of Makurdi Benue State
Adeyemi Temitope ‘F’ 24 Years of Shagamu Ogun State
Temitoye John ‘F’ 26 Years of Lagos State
Kike Adegun ‘F’ 27 Years of Ogun State
Victoria Amosun, aged 30yrs of Lagos state
Oguntoyinbo Eniola ‘F’ 20 Years of Ekiti State
Khadijat Ibrahim ‘F’ 26 Years of Ekiti State
Adetutu Epuyn ‘F’ Aged 33 Years of Ogun State
Blessig Balogun ‘F’ Agrd 21 Years of Ondo State
Amudatla Ibrahim ‘F’ 24 Years of Lagos State
Omotosho Bosede ‘F’ 20 Years Ondo State
Regina Achi ‘F’ 20 Years of Cross Rivers State
Olamiju Oduniayo ‘F’ Aged 18 Years of Ondo State
Opeyemi Adebayo ‘F’ 24 Years of Ekiti State
Soliu Toyiba ‘F’ of Lagos State
Omotayo Funmilayo ‘F’ 23 Years of Ondo State
Comfort John ‘F’ 26 Years of Lagos State
Glory Nkemdirin ‘F’ 27 Years of Enugu State.
Effort is on top gear with a view to arrest the agents and other members of this Human trafficking syndicate. the Investigation ongoing.

ARREST OF NOTORIOUS INDIAN HEMP SUPPLIER/DEALER AND IMPERSONATOR: – On the 22/3/2021 at about 08:00hrs based on a tip off, the command succeeded in arresting one NUHU BAWALE ‘m’ aged 26 years old of OLD LAY OUT QUARTERS KATSINA a notorious dealer of Indian hemp and also an impersonator. In the course of investigation, the following exhibits were recovered in his possession:
A bag of containing 10 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
2 Fake PCRC membership cards bearing the suspect name.
2 camouflage military uniforms
In the course of investigation, suspect confessed to the commission of the offense which led to the arrest of his supplier one HAMISU LAWAL, ’m’, aged 29yrs of MUDURU VILLAGE, MANI LGA. Investigation is ongoing.

RECOVERY OF A SUSPECTED STOLEN MOTOR VEHICLE:- On 20/3/2021 at about 05:30hrs Police patrol team attached to Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Katsina command, while on routine patrol along Barhim roundabout, intercepted a HONDA ACADEMY ASH in colour with registration number FST 583 CK with three (3) occupants, when asked to stop, they refused and sped up. The team went after the hoodlums and chased them. They abandoned the vehicle at Hajj Camp, Katsina and took to their heels. The vehicle documents and two different plate numbers with registration numbers MLF 366 AA and AL 414 GUS were recovered inside the vehicle during search. Investigation ongoing.
ARREST OF A SUSPECTED KIDNAPPER: On 12/03/2021 at about 14:30hrs, the Command succeeded in arresting one Mikailu Iluasu, ‘M’, aged 25yrs of Danjanku village, Malumfashi LGA of Katsina state, a suspected kidnapper. Nemesis caught up with the suspect when he called one Mallam Dahiru Usman, ‘m’ of Malumfashi LGA through his GSM line, threatened and demanded from him, the sum of ten million naira (N10, 000, 000:00K) or risked being killed or kidnapped. In the course of investigation, suspect confessed to the commission of the offence. Investigation is ongoing.

SP GAMBO ISAH
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER, (PPRO),
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
KATSINA STATE COMMAND.