Police arrest 15 armed robbers, recover N4m goods in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested 15 suspects in connection with various crimes across the state.

In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, confirmed the arrest, noting that a key breakthrough came on September 8, 2024, around 2:00 a.m. when officers from the Funtua Area Command, acting on intelligence, apprehended the suspects.

Among those arrested was a seven-member gang accused of robbing a motorist transporting wrappers and materials worth approximately N4 million.

Sadiq explained that the gang set up a barricade of stones along the Kano-Zaria road, forcing the driver to stop. They then assaulted and restrained him before transferring the stolen goods into two getaway vehicles: a maroon Volkswagen Golf III (Reg. No. KMC 850 AJ) and an ash-colored Ford Focus (Reg. No. RBC 873 XP), which were later recovered with the stolen items.

During the search, police recovered 94 bundles of wrappers, lace materials, and two additional bundles of fabric, all valued at about N4 million.

Further investigation revealed the gang had previously stolen grains and cooking oil on separate occasions, using the same vehicles for their criminal activities. The investigation is ongoing, the statement added.