By; SULAIMAN AHMED MISAU, Katsina
Katsina State Police Command as part of its achievements in April this year arrested one hundred and forty-five (145) suspected criminals in connection with various crimes ranging from armed robbery, Kidnapping, culpable homicides and cattle rustling in the state.
However, the Command has also on May 5, 2024 foiled a bandits attack on two Commercial Vehicles and rescued fifty – two (52) passengers.
Speaking to journalists during a press conference on the achievement of the Command
from 1st to 30th April, 2024 held
at the command headquarters in Katsina metropolis, the spokesman of the Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu said of the crime cases a total number of twenty-two (22) were suspected Armed Robbers, ten (10) murder suspects and thirty – six (36) suspected rapists/sodomist.
Similarly, he said a total number of fifty-eight (58) suspects were arrested for various offences such as criminal force, intimidation, inciting disturbance, theft, and belonging to gang of brigands, among others.
He said of the eighty – one (81) cases of the major crimes sixty – nine (69) cases were charged to Court.
ASP Sadiq Aliyu who spoke on behalf of Katsina state Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa further disclosed that, the command has also succeeded in neutralising twelve (12) suspected bandits, rescuing over thirty (30) kidnapped victims, and recovered four hundred and ninety-two (492) rustled animals during the period under review.
Speaking on the rescued 52 Passengers, the Katsina State Police Public Relations Officer said “on May 5th, 2024, at about 2330 hours the command successfully foiled a bandit attack on two (2) commercial motor-vehicles at Unguwar Boka village, Faskari LGA along Funtua-Gusau Road and rescued fifty-two (52) passengers.”
PPRO Sadiq Aliyu explained that, two (2) motor-vehicles a luxurious bus conveying passengers en route Sokoto to Onitsha, Zamfara State, and a Volkswagen Golf 3 en route Gusau to Zaria, upon reaching a point at Unguwar Boka village, the bandits having barricaded the road, emerged from the bush and opened fire on the two (2) motor-vehicles, forcing the driver to veer off the road into the nearby bushes.
He reiterated that, “upon receipt of the report, promptly, the DPO mobilised operatives and responded to the scene, where they engaged the assailants in a fierce gun duel, successfully thwarted the kidnapping attempt, and rescued all the passengers unhurt.”
ASP Sadiq said efforts have been intensified to ensure the arrest of the fleeing suspects. the “investigation is still ongoing,” he added.
He emphasized that, the Katsina state Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa while commending the bravery and professionalism of the operatives, appealed to the people of the state to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities or individuals to the command for timely and decisive action.
