By Our Reporter
The Katsina State Police Command has arrested the suspended Senior Special Assistant to the Katsina State Governor on Community Development, Nura Aliyu, over his alleged involvement in the abduction of an eight-year-old boy.
Aliyu, 39, was arrested alongside five other suspects following an operation carried out by operatives of the command’s newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the suspects were apprehended after the police received reports linking them to the kidnapping incident.
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The police spokesperson disclosed that operatives acted swiftly on credible intelligence to track down and arrest members of the alleged kidnapping syndicate.
“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 23, 2026,” the statement read.
The police identified the suspects as Nura Aliyu, described as the alleged mastermind and a neighbour to the victim’s family; Abubakar Aminu, 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, 51; Iliyasu Sani, 51; Abubakar Muhammad, 27; and Abdullahi Isma’il, 30.
DSP Aliyu noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend another suspect who reportedly fled during the operation.
He further stated that the Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, commended the operatives for what he described as a swift and successful operation.
The command reiterated its commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the state, assuring residents that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government confirmed that Nura Aliyu had earlier been suspended from his position before the arrest.
In a separate statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Salisu Zango, the government explained that Aliyu was suspended over allegations involving the diversion of empowerment materials meant for communities in Batsari Local Government Area under the state’s Community Development Programme.
Reacting to the latest development, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda described the allegations against the suspects as disturbing and unfortunate.
According to the government statement, the governor expressed concern that a public office holder with political aspirations could be linked to such serious allegations.
Governor Radda also praised the Katsina State Police Command and other security agencies for their continued efforts in tackling insecurity and sustaining operations against criminal activities in the state.
