Katsina State Police Command has arrested three suspected gunrunners and seized a significant cache of live ammunition in a major operation aimed at curbing armed banditry in the region.
The suspects were apprehended on August 29, 2024, in Dutsinma town, Dutsinma Local Government Area, Katsina State, while attempting to deliver 740 rounds of live 7.62mm ammunition to armed bandits hiding in the Yauni forest, Ummadau village, Safana Local Government Area.
ASP Sadiq Abubakar, the spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters on Friday. He identified the suspects as Ahmed Mohammed Kabir (25), Mannir Musa (25), and Aliyu Iliya (25).
Preliminary investigations suggest that the ammunition was sourced from Nasarawa State and intended for a notorious bandit leader known as Harisu, who remains at large. The arrested suspects reportedly confessed to their involvement in the smuggling operation and implicated Harisu as the mastermind.
ASP Sadiq assured the public that the command is intensifying efforts to apprehend Harisu and others involved in the illegal arms trade.
In a separate operation, the Katsina Police Command also arrested three individuals in connection with an armed robbery incident in Baure Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Abubakar Ibrahim (35), Abdullahi Nafi’u (35), and Adam Musa (36), were apprehended on August 27, 2024, following a complaint about a robbery on August 3. The suspects allegedly broke into the residence of Ukashatu Isah, stole his mobile phones, and transferred six million naira from his bank account.
ASP Sadiq confirmed that the suspects have confessed to the crime. The police are finalizing their investigation, and the suspects will be charged in court soon.
