Police arrest suspected informant linked to Katsina village attack

The Katsina State Police Command has detained a suspected kidnapper, cattle rustler and informant of bandits connected to the fatal assault on Sayaya village in Matazu Local Government Area.

Commissioner of Police Ali Umar‑Fage confirmed the arrest in a statement released on Monday through the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq‑Aliyu.

He said the suspect, Surajo Isyaku, 45, was taken into custody on May 15 after police operatives gathered credible intelligence.

Umar‑Fage noted that the suspect allegedly took part in the April 5 attack on Sayaya village, during which armed bandits burned several houses and killed a police officer attached to the Matazu Division.

According to the commissioner, preliminary investigations revealed that in 2024 the suspect was introduced to a notorious bandit kingpin known as Bello by another suspect, Babaye, who remains at large.

He added that the suspect confessed to involvement in multiple kidnapping operations and cattle‑rustling activities in the area, and that ransom payments totalling N7 million were collected from victims.

The police commissioner further disclosed that the suspect allegedly received N900,000 as his share from kidnapping proceeds and also profited from cattle‑rustling operations in Dukawa village, where 14 cows were stolen.

He said the suspect admitted to inviting the bandit gang to carry out attacks in the community on two occasions.

Umar‑Fage said efforts are ongoing to apprehend fleeing gang members, including Bello, Babaye and other accomplices linked to the criminal network.

He praised the operatives for the arrest and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustaining the fight against violent crime in the state.