A notorious bandit commander operating in Katsina State has claimed that heightened security activity prevented him from carrying out an earlier promise to free the wife of a retired senior military officer who was abducted alongside her husband.
The gang leader, identified as Kachalla Muhammad, made the claim in an audio recording that has circulated widely on social media.
Why Was Release Plan Abandoned?
The retired army officer and his wife were kidnapped on May 30 while traveling to Katsina State. Their vehicle was reportedly attacked along the Marabar Musawa to Kafinsoli road in Matazu Local Government Area.
According to Kachalla, discussions had taken place regarding the possible release of the retired general's wife. However, he said the presence of security forces altered those plans.
He said: "I had promised the General that I would release his wife, but the deployment of security personnel in the area made me change my mind."
The bandit leader also accused authorities of arresting individuals he claimed were associated with his group. He argued that the arrests had made any prospect of engagement more difficult.
What Conditions Did Bandit Leader Give?
Kachalla further demanded the release of three people he alleged were being held by government authorities. He also called for the return of cattle reportedly seized during security operations in the Jikamshi area.
He maintained that meeting those demands could help create conditions for peace and reduce violent attacks in affected communities.
Government Response
Despite the claims, the Katsina State Government expressed confidence that security agencies would secure the release of the retired military officer, his wife and other captives.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu Zango, said intelligence gathering and security operations had made significant progress since the abduction occurred.
The statement noted that Governor Dikko Umaru Radda had instructed security agencies to intensify efforts aimed at rescuing the victims safely.
"The way this attack was carried out suggests it was carefully planned and specifically targeted. This has influenced the government's response strategy. Security agencies are working around the clock, deploying intelligence and technology to locate the victims and secure their release," the statement read.
