Police in Katsina State have arrested the immediate past Senior Special Assistant on Community Development Programme to Governor Dikko Radda, Nura Aliyu, over his alleged involvement in the kidnap of an eight-year-old schoolboy and the collection of N17 million ransom.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said Aliyu was arrested alongside five other suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate operating within Katsina metropolis, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend a seventh suspect still at large.
According to the police, the victim was abducted on May 13, 2026, at about 6:00 p.m. while returning home from an Islamic school.
The statement explained that the kidnappers initially demanded N50 million from the victim’s family but later negotiated the ransom down to N17 million before releasing the boy.
The police said operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) launched an intelligence-led operation immediately after receiving the report, leading to the arrest of the suspects on May 23.
Those arrested include 39-year-old Nura Aliyu, identified as the alleged mastermind and reportedly a neighbour to the victim’s family, alongside Abubakar Aminu, 37; Ibrahim Muhammad, 51; Iliyasu Sani, 51; Abubakar Muhammad, 27; and Abdullahi Isma’il, 30.Security operatives also recovered N7.5 million in cash, a Peugeot 307 vehicle and a motorcycle from the suspects’ hideout.
Police said the suspects confessed during interrogation and identified another accomplice, simply known as Abdul, who remains on the run.
The command assured residents that the suspects would be prosecuted while efforts continue to track down the fleeing gang member and dismantle the criminal network.
Katsina State Government has distanced itself
Meanwhile, the Katsina State Government has distanced itself from Aliyu, rejecting claims that he resigned his appointment to pursue political ambition.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Bala Zango, clarified that Aliyu was dismissed from office over alleged diversion of empowerment materials meant for communities in Batsari Local Government Area.
According to the commissioner, Aliyu’s removal followed allegations of corruption linked to the state’s Community Development Programme.
Governor Dikko Radda reportedly described the alleged involvement of a former government official in kidnapping as disturbing and unfortunate, particularly given his political aspirations.
The governor also commended the police and other security agencies for their swift response and urged residents to support security efforts by reporting suspicious activities.
Aliyu had reportedly sought the APC ticket to contest for the Batsari State Assembly seat but was among aspirants dropped under the party’s consensus arrangement during the primaries.