Police arrest killers of 12-year-old boy, bust currency syndicate in Katsina – Punch Newspapers
The Katsina State Police Command has arrested two suspected kidnappers and killers of a 12-year-old boy in Dankama, Kaita Local Government Area of the state.
Parading the suspects alongside other criminals before journalists at the command headquarters on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said the suspects committed the heinous crime while the victim was on an errand.
He said:
“On 13th January 2025, the command successfully arrested two suspects in connection with the kidnapping and murder of a 12-year-old boy in Dankama town, Kaita LGA, Katsina.
“The victim was kidnapped on 11th January 2025, at about 2:00 pm while on an errand to a nearby pharmacy for his mother. The kidnappers later, on the same day at about 9:00 pm, contacted the family via phone call, demanding a ransom of ₦25 million.
“Despite efforts by the family to negotiate, the kidnappers refused to release the boy and eventually killed him. His lifeless body was later abandoned and found on the outskirts of Dankama town.
“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, psc+, detailed the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) to conduct a thorough investigation.
“During the investigation, operatives successfully identified and apprehended two suspects, Muttaka Garba, alias Auta (24), and Yusuf Usman, alias Kwalwa (20), who confessed to the crime.
“The command has recovered the phone used to make the ransom demand as part of the exhibits in the ongoing investigation.
“The suspects will be charged to court for prosecution as soon as the investigations are concluded.”
Similarly, the command uncovered a four-man syndicate of suspected fraudsters and recovered a total of 1,018 counterfeit currency notes.
DSP Sadiq said:
“On 31st December 2024, at about 1:00 pm, the command arrested one Aliyu Isah (24) of Katsina State in possession of two counterfeit $100 notes. This led to the uncovering of a syndicate of notorious suspected fraudsters specialising in circulating counterfeit currency notes.
“The suspect was arrested while attempting to exchange the fake foreign currency for naira totalling ₦300,000 at a bureau de change operated by one Isma’il Dahiru, a POS operator, who became suspicious and reported the matter to the Rimi Divisional Police Headquarters.
“Detectives swung into action and arrested the suspect. During the investigation, the suspect confessed to obtaining the counterfeit notes from Aliyu Sani of Jibia LGA, Katsina State, who was subsequently traced and arrested.
“Upon searching the premises, 30 pieces of suspected counterfeit $100 currency notes were recovered. Further investigations led to the arrest of Abubakar Sani, Alhaji Ummaru, and Haruna Ibrahim, all of Sabon Garin Alhaji Yahuza village, Batagarawa LG, Katsina State, with the recovery of 980 counterfeit $100 notes. Investigations are ongoing.”
DSP Sadiq also noted that on 11th January 2025, at about 10:00 pm, a suspected thief was arrested by the convoy of the Katsina State Governor while visiting an injured police officer at the Katsina Teaching Hospital.
The suspect, Abdullahi Ali (51) of Liyafa Quarters, Katsina State, was caught vandalising three motor vehicles in an attempt to gain access to them.
He managed to use a master key to open one of the vehicles, belonging to a member of the State House of Assembly representing Kurfi LG, Hon Zaharaddeeni Usman. The suspect stole a substantial amount of money and four face caps.
DSP Sadiq said, “The stolen funds, totalling ₦650,000, and four face caps were recovered from the suspect.
“The Governor’s convoy was leaving the hospital after visiting the injured police officer when they stumbled upon the suspect attempting to flee the scene. The quick-thinking security personnel attached to the Governor’s convoy apprehended the suspect and handed him over to the command for further necessary action.
“The suspect will soon be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.”
