At least 319 kidnapped victims in Katsina State were rescued from kidnappers and bandits’ hideouts in 2024 by the dedicated officers of the State Police Command, according to Police Commissioner CP Aliyu Musa. The victims have since been reunited with their families.
CP Musa also reported that the command neutralized 40 bandits, recovered 2,081 rustled animals, and returned them to their rightful owners, positively impacting the local economy. The Commissioner shared these achievements on Monday during the Police Officers Mess, at an end-of-year event honoring outgoing and retiring officers.
Additionally, the command apprehended 199 suspected armed robbers, making Katsina communities safer, and arrested 573 individuals for various crimes, including intimidation and fraud, demonstrating the command’s commitment to combating crime.
“Our efforts have significantly reduced crime across the state. We’ve dismantled several notorious criminal networks, recovered substantial exhibits, and rescued numerous kidnapped victims,” CP Musa stated. He also highlighted that 23 major drug dealers were charged in court, disrupting the supply of illicit drugs and promoting a safer society. Furthermore, 32 suspected offenders were arrested and prosecuted, and 89 suspected motor vehicle thieves were apprehended, with 27 vehicles and motorcycles recovered, improving road safety.
CP Musa also noted improvements in the command’s facilities, which have enhanced operational efficiency, enabling the police to respond more effectively to emergencies and better serve the community.
Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola, the 17 Brigade Commander of the Nigerian Army in Katsina, praised the cooperation between the police and the military, especially in operations, crime control, and information sharing. He commended the Police Commissioner and his officers for their efforts and encouraged them to continue striving for greater achievements.
Governor Malam Dikko Radda, the Special Guest of Honour, congratulated the award recipients and emphasized the importance of maintaining security efforts to eradicate criminal activity and ensure a peaceful, prosperous Katsina. He recalled the state’s severe insecurity challenges upon his assumption of office in May 2023, with 24 LGAs affected by banditry, killings, kidnapping, and rustling.
The governor, represented by State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasiru Mu’azu Danmusa, shared that the government had created a Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs and forged strong synergies among security agencies to combat insecurity. These efforts helped bring 16 LGAs out of the grip of bandits within 10 months.
Governor Radda urged continued efforts to eliminate all criminality in the state, stressing the need to maintain the momentum of security progress.
During the ceremony, Governor Radda received an award for his dedication to ending insecurity in Katsina, while other awards were presented to heads of security agencies for their collaboration, and CP Aliyu Musa was honored with a leadership award for his incorruptible leadership and strategic thinking.
