The Katsina State Police Command has apprehended a 16-year-old boy, Nuhu Haruna, from Fenza village, Dutsinma Local Government Area, on charges of allegedly killing his stepmother.
The arrest was part of a broader operation in which the police detained several other individuals across the state on charges of kidnapping, homicide, and conspiracy.
Addressing journalists at the Command headquarters on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, presented the suspects and provided details on the incidents leading to their arrests.
ASP Sadiq confirmed that Haruna was taken into custody after a violent dispute with his 40-year-old stepmother, Rabi Haruna, tragically led to her death.
"On October 21, 2024, at about 1:00 p.m., the command arrested one Nuhu Haruna, male, aged 16, of Fenza village, Dutsinma LGA, over a case of culpable homicide,” ASP Sadiq stated. “The suspect reportedly struck his stepmother with a stick on her stomach during a misunderstanding, leading to her untimely death.”
The Command also announced the arrest of Abubakar Nasiru, also known as Haro, from Daura Local Government Area, on charges of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping. ASP Sadiq noted that Nasiru, previously convicted on charges of rape, was implicated in a recent kidnapping incident under ongoing investigation.
“Nasiru conspired with others now at large in 2023, stormed Unguwar Maza village in Kafur LGA, and kidnapped three individuals,” ASP Sadiq explained. “A ransom of N13 million was paid for their release, with Nasiru admitting to receiving N2 million as his share.” Police efforts are ongoing to apprehend his accomplices, who remain at large.
In another incident, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit detained Ibrahim Isah of Yana village, Charanchi Local Government Area, for allegedly contacting the father of a missing man, Bello Sani, and demanding N1 million for his release. Following a report from the victim’s family, the police traced and arrested Isah.
In cooperation with the Gombe State Police Command, Katsina authorities also apprehended 25-year-old Nasiru Sanusi of Gidan Daudu village, Kankara Local Government Area.
Sanusi is accused of conspiring with three accomplices to kidnap his uncle, a local ward head. After receiving an N8 million ransom and six bags of fertilizer, the gang allegedly killed the victim.
ASP Sadiq revealed that Sanusi fled to Lagos, Taraba, and eventually Gombe, where he continued his criminal activities until his arrest.
“The suspect confessed to the crime, and investigations are ongoing to capture his accomplices. The command affirmed its commitment to pursue all fleeing suspects to ensure justice is served,” ASP Sadiq stated.
