Police bust gang of notorious armed robbers in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has successfully apprehended fifteen individuals suspected of involvement in various criminal activities across the state. This was disclosed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, in a statement on Friday.

According to Sadiq, the arrests occurred in the early hours of September 8, 2024, following a well-coordinated intelligence-led operation by officers from the Funtua Area Command. Among the detainees was a notorious seven-member gang of armed robbers, responsible for the brazen robbery of a motorist transporting fabrics worth around N4 million.

The gang, employing a crude yet effective tactic, used stones to barricade the Kano-Zaria road, forcing the unsuspecting driver to stop. After subduing and tying up the motorist, the criminals swiftly transferred the stolen goods into two of their getaway vehicles: a Volkswagen Golf III with registration number KMC 850 AJ and a Ford Focus with registration number RBC 873 XP. Both vehicles, along with 94 bundles of wrappers, lace materials, and additional fabric, were recovered by the police, with the total haul estimated to be worth around N4 million.

Further investigations revealed that this syndicate had previously been involved in multiple thefts, including the stealing of grains and cooking oil, using the same vehicles to facilitate their operations. The police assured that investigations are still ongoing to unearth more details and bring all culprits to justice.

This arrest marks a significant victory in the fight against crime in Katsina State, as law enforcement continues to crack down on criminal syndicates operating in the region.