By Mustapha Salisu
HOTPEN – The Katsina State Police Command says its operatives have succeeded in arresting a suspected notorious spiritual leader and herbalist of terrorist-bandits, terrorizing Katsina and Zamfara states.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP. Gambo Isah, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Wednesday in Katsina.
SP. Gambo said the Spiritual leader cum herbalist of the bandits was arrested by the operatives based on a tip-off on 26th November 2022 at about 6 p.m.
He gave the identity of the herbalist as Sani Bello, 25, of Maiduguri Road, Sabuwa Township, Sabuwa LGA of Katsina state.
Gambo explained that in the course of their investigations, four native bulletproof jackets, covered with criminal talismans were recovered in his possession.
Adding that the suspect confessed to being a spiritualist that supplies terrorists with Gun-Jazz and criminal charms for gun protection and offers a prayer for the bandits not be arrested or harmed by security agents in all their heinous operations.
While the investigation is ongoing SP Gambo noted that, the suspect also confessed that he sold each of the jackets at the cost of sixty thousand naira to any interested terrorist.
In a separate development, the command also busted armed robbers who were operating at Dutsen Amare Quarters, Katsina.
SP. Gambo Isah added that, the command received a distress call on 16 November 2022 and a police patrol team was dispatched to the area and the team succeed in arresting 5 of the suspected armed robbers.
He gave the identities of the suspected armed robbers as Usman Umar alias Sharbulo, aged 28, Musa Isiyaku alias Danmusa, aged 20yrs and Yakubu Kabir alias Makuri, aged 20yrs all from Kofar Marusa Katsina.
While Shamsu Umar alias Bakin Wake, aged 29yrs of Madacin Yan-Nono Quarters, Katsina and Sanusi Ibrahim, alias Aji, aged 28yrs of Kofar Kaura were all successfully arrested.
The PPRO revealed that, in the course of their investigation, four GSM handsets, two cutlasses, Sharp Knife, a sword, a Golf stick, Pinches and a Chisel were recovered in the possession of the suspects.
SP. Gambo Isah noted that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Shehu Umar Nadada appreciates the good people of Katsina State for their continuous support, encouragement and cooperation.
Adding that, the CP reiterates the Command’s continuous determination to rid the state of criminal activities and apprehend criminal elements committing heinous crimes across the state.