The Katsina State Police Command says it arrested 225 suspects linked to various crimes, including kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling and arms trafficking, in May 2026.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, disclosed this on Thursday while presenting the command’s operational scorecard for the month.

According to him, the command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Ali Fage, intensified intelligence-led operations, joint patrols and inter-agency collaboration to combat criminal activities across the state.

“Our approach remains proactive, and the results reflect measurable progress in restoring public safety across the state,” Sadiq said.

He revealed that among those arrested were seven suspected kidnappers, 10 armed robbery suspects, one suspected armed bandit, two suspected informants and 21 suspected drug peddlers.

Others include 10 suspects linked to murder and culpable homicide, 36 suspects arrested for rape and sodomy, 13 suspected social miscreants and 130 persons arrested for other offences.

“In total, 150 major cases were reported and acted upon, with 109 cases already charged to court for prosecution upon conclusion of investigations,” he stated.

The command also disclosed that 17 kidnapped victims were rescued during the period under review.

“The victims have since been debriefed, medically examined and reunited with their families,” he added.

Sadiq explained that the command recovered several exhibits, including 20 laptops, two mobile phones, one master key and a scanner.

Other items recovered include 466 suspected rustled animals, three vehicles, 22 motorcycles, four bags of vandalised span wires, 141 Exol tablets, 190 sachets of Diazepam, 170 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, 49 D5 tablets, 133 Pregabalin tablets and five packs of dexamethasone.

“All recovered exhibits are in custody and will be tendered in court as evidence,” he said.

Sadiq attributed the successes to sustained collaboration with other security agencies through joint operations, patrols and intelligence sharing.

While acknowledging the progress made, he stressed that the command would continue to intensify efforts against criminal elements across the state.

Sadiq also appreciated the Katsina State Government and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for their support.

“We are not resting on these achievements. We sincerely appreciate the Katsina State Government under the leadership of Malam Dikko Umaru Radda for its unwavering support and the Inspector-General of Police for his continuous logistical and moral backing,” he said.

Katsina State, one of the states most affected by banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria’s North-West region, has witnessed sustained security operations in recent years aimed at curbing attacks on communities, farmers and travellers.

Security agencies have intensified intelligence-led operations and joint patrols across identified flashpoints as part of efforts to restore peace and improve public safety. (Punch News)

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