The Katsina State Police Command has apprehended a suspected bandit informant, Usman Isah, aged 28, and recovered criminal charms from his possession. The command's spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Thursday, April 30, 2026.
According to Aliyu, the suspect was taken into custody after he made threatening phone calls to a resident, demanding a payment of ten million naira (N10,000,000) or face death. The victim, whose identity has been withheld for safety, reported the incident at Musawa Division on April 9, 2026.
The statement detailed that on April 6, 2026, at approximately 4:00 pm, the victim received calls from unknown numbers. The callers threatened to kill him unless he paid the ransom, instilling fear for his life. Upon receiving the report, detectives launched an investigation and successfully arrested Usman Isah. During the operation, criminal charms believed to be used in his illicit activities were recovered.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and revealed that he conspired with his brother, who remains at large, to commit the offense. He also admitted to previous involvement in similar criminal activities in prior years. Police efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, has ordered intensified operations to track down the escaped suspect. He warned that the command will not relent in its crackdown on informants, collaborators, and all individuals aiding banditry and other crimes in the state.
The suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation. The police urge members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or via the command's emergency lines: 08156977777 or 07072722539. Further updates will be provided as the case progresses.
