Teen Arrested for Bandit Spying in Katsina

A teenage girl has been detained in Katsina for allegedly providing intelligence to bandits. This incident raises concerns about security in the area and the involvement of youth in criminal activities.

In Katsina State, Basira Abu, a teenager disclosed her affiliation with bandits. She declared that she was given N100,000 as compensation for monitoring residents and transporting provisions to the gangs’ hideouts.

Basira was arrested by security operatives during her attempt to collect information on the inhabitants of Matazu community. She confessed that she collaborated with bandits due to her affiliation with one of them.

Basira Abu from Hassan House introduced herself and disclosed that she had been instructed by Magaji, Safulahi, Lado, Haruna and Ashiru to gather information on individuals. She claimed to have been enticed with a promise of N100,000 for her services.

Basira revealed that she visited their hideout twice; during her first visit there they paid her fifty thousand naira followed by another payment of the same amount in the second visit.

According to Basika’s statement before meekly agreeing: “I’ve never gone there other than delivering provisions which include rice beans spaghetti recharge cards oranges etcetera accompanied most times by my friends namely Aisha Mariam Gaza Khadija.”

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Also divulging details about Safulahi being his boyfriend who is said to possess three guns as well as this marking it down clearly stating he brought here for the very reason undertaken today making this only their second encounter at such locations.”

Also, the Katsina State Police Command made a related announcement wherein 13-year-old Umar Hassan was presented for contributing to banditry in the state. From Dandume Local Government Area, young Umar had been taken into custody due to his provision of crucial information to these unlawful groups.

ASP Abubakar Aliyu, who is in charge of public relations for the Command, revealed that Umar was apprehended on July 3rd, 2024 based on intelligence gathered about his illicit undertakings. During interrogation sessions with authorities, it emerged that Umar’s modus operandi was to scout out villages and spot potential targets for criminal gangs. Further investigations led to him divulging information about another individual involved in these activities named Abba; a person still currently at large.

ASP Aliyu stated that Umar was involved in a criminal gang that frequently assaulted Unguwar Bawa village, perpetrating abductions and theft of livestock.

The two situations underscore the persistent hurdles that security personnel encounter in their fight against robbery and youths’ participation in these unlawful acts. Law enforcement authorities persistently encourage society to assist them by identifying and capturing individuals who aid bandits.