Katsina gov’s aide named as mastermind in 8-year-old boy’s kidnap

The Katsina State Government has confirmed that a former Senior Special Assistant on Community Development, Nura Aliyu Garwa, is under investigation over alleged links to a kidnapping syndicate in the state.

Garwa was among suspects recently paraded by the Katsina State Police Command over the alleged abduction of an eight-year-old boy at Sardauna Estate in Katsina metropolis.

The state government said Garwa had earlier been suspended from office before indicating interest to contest for a seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly.

Commissioner for Information and Culture, Salisu Zango, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

According to the statement, Garwa was suspended over alleged diversion of empowerment materials meant for distribution to communities in Batsari Local Government Area.

The materials were said to have been provided under the state government’s Community Development Programme.

“The suspected mastermind of a kidnapping syndicate, Nura Aliyu Garwa, involving the kidnapping of an eight-year-old boy at Sardauna Estate in Katsina metropolis, had been suspended as SSA on Community Development to Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, earlier before his intention to contest for the seat of member, Katsina State House of Assembly in Batsari Local Government Area,” the statement said.

The government said Garwa’s alleged involvement in the kidnap case was unfortunate, especially because of his previous public profile and political ambition.

Governor Dikko Radda also commended the Katsina State Police Command and other security agencies for their efforts in tackling crime in the state.

He urged members of the public to support security agencies by providing useful information and reporting suspicious activities.

The latest development followed the recent parade of suspected kidnappers by the police in Katsina.

The suspects were alleged to be members of a syndicate involved in the abduction of the eight-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis.

Garwa was named as the prime suspect in the case