‘Bandit’ involved in killing of police officer arrested in Katsina

A suspected bandit identified as Sa’idu Yaro has been arrested over his alleged involvement in the killing of a police officer in the Dutsinma area of Katsina.

Speaking with journalists on Thursday, Aliyu Abubakar-Sadiq, police spokesperson in the state, said Aminu Abubakar, the deceased, was the Dutsinma area commander.

Abubakar-Sadiq said the area commander was ambushed by bandits when he led a patrol team in a clearance operation on July 5.

He said the operatives were overwhelmed by the bandits which led to the killing of the area commander and another officer.

He said the 30-year-old Yaro, also referred to as Sabon Jini, was arrested on August 30, adding that the suspect is from Tsaskiya village in Safana LGA of the state.

“The suspect has been on the command’s wanted list for a series of offences, such as kidnapping, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes,” NAN quoted Abubakar-Sadiq as saying.

“Nemesis caught up with him when he was arrested in connection with the kidnapping of one Hussaini Nabara of Kagara village in Dutsinma LGA.

“During the investigation, he was discovered to be a member of the gang of one Abubakar Jankare, a notorious bandit leader in the area.”

The police spokesperson added that the suspect confessed to having connived with other bandits to ambush and murder the area commander.

In another development, the police also arrested a gun runner and an informant identified as Ibrahim Abdullahi in Sabongarin Dumburawa in Batsari LGA of Katsina.

“The suspect was arrested in possession of the exhibit, and in the course of the investigation, he confessed to the commission of the crime,” he added.

“The suspect admitted that he received the ammunition alongside his accomplice, now at large, from someone in Wukari LGA of Taraba.”

He added that police operatives recovered 404 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the 35-year-old gunrunner.