Police arrest two suspects for ‘aiding banditry’ in Katsina

The Katsina police command says two suspects have been arrested for allegedly aiding banditry in the state.

In a statement on Thursday, Abubakar Aliyu, police spokesperson in Katsina, said the suspects were arrested during a routine patrol on July 25.

Aliyu said operatives apprehended the suspects in collaboration with the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC) and hunters in Jibia LGA.

“In a sustained effort by the Katsina state police command, under the able leadership of CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, psc+, in the fight against armed banditry, has succeeded in arresting two (2) for aiding and abetting banditry and recovering suspected rustled animals,” the statement reads.

“Today, July 25, 2024, at about 1015 hrs, a team of police operatives attached to Jibia divisional police headquarters while on a routine patrol in collaboration with the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC) and Hunters at Jibia LGA.

“The officers successfully arrested the duo of (1) Abubakar Yahaya, m, age 35 years, and (2) Muhammadu Ayatullahi, m, age 25, all of Zandam village, Jibia LGA of the state, at along Magama cemetery.”

He said the police recovered two rams, one sheep, and a goat, suspected to have been rustled from the suspects.

“In the course of the investigation, the duo confessed to having received the rustled animals from one Nura, m., of Mazanya village, now at large, a suspected notorious bandit leader, and are on their way to dispose of the animals at Magama Market, Jibia LGA,” he added.

“They further confessed to having severally received suspected rustled animals from the bandit kingpin and disposed of them.”

The police spokesperson added that the command is making efforts to ensure the suspects who escaped are arrested.