In a significant operation, the Katsina State Police Command has dismantled a notorious 7-man armed robbery syndicate, recovering stolen items valued at approximately N4 million.
The suspects were arrested in the early hours of September 8, 2024, following intelligence gathered by operatives from the Funtua Area Command.
The gang had been terrorizing motorists along the Kano-Zaria Road by using stones to barricade sections of the road, forcing drivers to stop. Once halted, the suspects would tie up the drivers and rob them, along with their passengers, of valuables.
During the parade of the suspects, the police command’s spokesman, Sadiq Abubakar, revealed that 94 bundles of wrappers and lace materials, as well as two additional bundles of other items, were recovered, with an estimated value of around N4 million. He further stated that investigations uncovered the gang’s involvement in multiple robberies, including the theft of grains and cooking oil on separate occasions. The suspects reportedly used two vehicles, a Volkswagen Golf III saloon and a Ford Focus, to facilitate their crimes. Both vehicles, loaded with stolen items, were recovered.
In a related development, the police arrested three suspects, identified as Janaidu Yusuf, Abubakar Dahiru, and Murtala Halliru, in possession of a locally fabricated firearm and four rounds of live ammunition. Their arrest on August 28, 2024, followed a meticulous investigation triggered by a social media post.
Additionally, the police apprehended a notorious motorcycle thief, Bala Muhammad, during a routine patrol on September 8, 2024. A stolen vehicle was also recovered from the suspect.
The Command’s spokesman confirmed that investigations into all the cases are ongoing, and efforts are being made to identify and arrest additional fleeing suspects involved in the crimes.
