Radda’s former aide arrested for allegedly orchestrating the abduction of an eight‑year‑old child.

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

Former Senior Special Assistant to Katsina State Governor on the Community Development Programme (CDP), Nura Aliyu, has been taken into custody by officers of the Katsina State Police Command on allegations that he orchestrated the abduction of an eight‑year‑old boy.

Aliyu, 39, was apprehended together with five other suspects, according to a statement from the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu. The officers say the group plotted the kidnapping of the child.

While the police spokesperson did not confirm whether Aliyu was serving as a senior special assistant to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda at the time of the alleged crime, investigations show that he had previously held that position before resigning to run for the Batsari Constituency seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly.

The spokesperson explained that the victim was taken by the syndicate on 13 May 2026 at about 6:00 p.m. while returning from an Islamic school.

He added that the suspects contacted the family the next day and demanded a ransom of N50 million. After negotiations, N17 million was paid to secure the child’s release.

Police officials noted that N7.5 million of the ransom, a Peugeot 307, a Boxer motorcycle, and other items were recovered from the suspects as evidence during the investigation.

According to the officers, the suspects confessed to the offence during interrogation and identified one Abdul, who is currently at large, as an accomplice.

Aliyu’s statement read: “Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) of the command swung into action. Acting on credible intelligence, operatives tracked and arrested six members of the syndicate today, 23 May 2026.”

“Those arrested are: Nura Aliyu, age 39, identified as the mastermind and a neighbour to the victim’s family; Abubakar Aminu, age 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, age 51; Iliyasu Sani, age 51; Abubakar Muhammad, age 27; and Abdullahi Isma’il, age 30.”

Aliyu said that efforts are underway to apprehend the fleeing suspect. He also noted that State Commissioner of Police Ali Umar Fage praised the operatives for carrying out what he described as a swift operation.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes, adding that the suspects will be charged in court after the investigation concludes.