Hyacinth Chinweuba
The Katsina state Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba in a review of his stewardship since assumption of duty has said the security situation in the state has improved tremendously.
Buba said on assumption of duty ten months ago, he assured the good of people of Katsina state of their safety, peace and security and to a greater extent the Command has been recording tremendous successes in the fight against the menace of cattle rustling, armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality especially in the most affected eight frontline Local Government Areas of Katsina state.
In his account he said the Command arrested a total number of one thousand, nine hundred and seven (1,907) suspected criminals in connection with one thousand, five hundred and nineteen (1,519) reported cases.
A total number of one thousand, two hundred and fifty-six (1,256) arrested suspects are undergoing prosecution in various competent Courts of Law in the State.
In cattle rustling, a total number of eight (8) rustlers were killed, forty-four (44) arrested while five (5) were severely injured in several battles.
Also, four hundred and thirty-five (435) rustled animals comprising three hundred and fifty-nine (359) Cows, sixty-one (61) Sheep, seven (7) Donkeys, seven (7) Camels and one (1) goat were recovered. A total number of one hundred and seventy (170) suspected armed robbery suspects, one hundred and six (106) suspected Kidnappers were arrested, two (2) killed in battle and forty-four (44) victims rescued.
In the same year, following the State Government peace initiative, thirty (30) kidnapped victims were released by their captors. Eleven (11) AK47 rifles, one (1) Tavo-21 rifle, two (2) English Pistols, twenty-four (24) locally made guns, twenty-seven (27) Dane guns, three hundred and ninety-eight (398) live ammunition and forty-eight (48) cartridges were also recovered during various sting operations carried out by the Command.
A total of Eighteen (18) motor vehicles and sixty-six (66) Motorcycles were recovered from fifty-nine (59) suspected criminals during the period under review.
Speaking on the most recent achievement of the Command he said that based on a tip off, Operatives attached to SARS Katsina state Command succeeded in smashing a notorious syndicate of armed robbers that specialized in car snatching.
Also a syndicate armed with AK 47 rifles, attacked the residence of one Alhaji Sani Sani Jibia of No.38 Stephen Shekari Road, Trade Fair Lay-out, Kaduna, Kaduna state, after firing some shots in the air robbed the residents of Two Toyota Corolla Motor vehicles, HP laptop computer, GSM Handsets and unspecified amount of money. Nemesis caught up with the syndicate when they were accosted by our SARS patrol team along Musawa – Kankia road, Katsina state.
Two members of the syndicate arrested are: 1. Haruna Isah, m, aged 29yrs of Dan-Bushiya Quarters, Kaduna 2. Isiya Auwal, m, aged 22yrs of Inwala Quarters, Lambata, Gurara LGA of Niger state. In the course of investigation another Toyota Camry 2006 model, Dark Ash in colour was recovered in their possession abandoned at Yar- Kutungu, Gyaza village, Kankia LGA of Katsina state.
Also one Anti Tracking device “JAMMER” was also recovered inside the vehicle which was used by the hoodlums to evade tracking of the vehicle. Investigation is ongoing with a view to arrest other members of the syndicate.
Similarly, the Command succeeded in arresting one Bangida Abubakar, m, aged 35yrs of Maraban Mai Gora village, Sabuwa LGA of Katsina state in possession of two locally made revolver rifles and one Dane Gun. Investigation is ongoing.
He acknowledged and appreciated support of the media towards strengthening the relative peace and security in the state through balanced reportage of the Command activities.
The Commissioner said that the fight against crime and criminality is so dynamic and not an easy one and urged the media to continue to project the hard and good work of the Police to the general public.
The Commissioner noted that the launching and inaugural take up of “Operation Puff Adder” by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Muhammed Adamu Abubakar, on 8th April, 2019 at Batsari LGA of Katsina state witnessed massive deployment of personnel and equipment in the frontline areas leading to massive raids and several arrests of suspected bandits from their criminal hideouts and recovery of large catch of arms and ammunition.
He also appreciated the effort of the State Governor Aminu Bello Masari, for initiating and leading the peace – dialogue process between farmers and herders in the state, adding that the giant stride has by no means brought about peace in the affected communities.
He commended the concerted efforts of all officers and men of the Command for their total commitment towards protection of lives and property as well as ensuring public safety and order in the state and paid tributes to gallant officers who have paid the supreme prize in the line of duty.