Senior Special Assistant to Katsina State Governor on Community Development, Nura Aliyu, has been arrested by operatives of the Katsina State Police Command for allegedly masterminding the abduction of an eight-year-old boy.

Nura Aliyu, 39, according to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, was nabbed alongside five other suspects for allegedly plotting the kidnapping of the victim.

Reacting to the development, the Katsina State Government disclosed that Nura Aliyu had earlier been suspended from his position as Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda on Community Development.

According to a statement issued earlier today, Monday, May 25, 2026, and signed by the Katsina State Commissioner of Information and Culture, Bala Salisu Zango, Nura Aliyu was suspended over allegations relating to the diversion of empowerment materials intended for communities in Batsari Local Government Area under the state’s Community Development Programme.

The government noted that Nura Aliyu later indicated interest in contesting for a seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly to represent Batsari Local Government Area.

Giving details about the case, Katsina Police Spokesman, DSP Aliyu, explained that the victim was abducted by the syndicate on May 13, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. while returning from an Islamic school.

He said the suspects contacted the family the following day and demanded N50 million ransom, but after negotiations, N17 million was paid to secure the release of the victim.

He disclosed that N7.5 million being part of the N17 million ransom, one Peugeot 307 and Boxer motorcycle, among others, were recovered from the suspects as exhibits during investigation.

According to DSP Aliyu, the suspects confessed to committing the offence during interrogation and mentioned one Abdul, currently at large, as their accomplice.

Aliyu, in the statement, said: “Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the command swung into action. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked and arrested six members of the syndicate today, May 23rd, 2026.

“Those arrested are: Nura Aliyu, age 39, identified as the mastermind and a neighbour to the victim’s family; Abubakar Aminu, age 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, age 51; Iliyasu Sani, age 51; Abubakar Muhammad, age 27, and Abdullahi Isma’il, age 30.”

While noting that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect, Aliyu said the state Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, commended the operatives for carrying out what he described as a swift operation.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes, while noting that the suspects will be charged to court after investigation.

On his part, Governor Radda, according to the statement by his Information and Culture Commissioner, Bala Salisu Zango, described the activities of the alleged syndicate as unfortunate, expressing concern that an individual with a public profile and political ambition could be linked to such allegations.

The statement said the governor also commended the Katsina State Police Command and other security agencies for their efforts in addressing insecurity and sustaining operations against criminal activities in the state. (Pieced together from reports by Daily Trust and THISDAY)