The Katsina State Police Command has intercepted two suspected gunrunners in possession of arms and ammunition allegedly destined for The Katsina State Police Command has arrested two suspected gunrunners allegedly transporting arms for criminal gangs operating in the state.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed in a statement on Monday that the suspects were intercepted along the Ingawa–Karkarku village road in Katsina following credible intelligence.
The suspects, identified as Abdussalam Muhammed (25) and Aminu Mamman (23), both from Baure village in Safana Local Government Area, were arrested after police operatives stopped their vehicle.
“Upon searching their operational vehicle, a blue Volkswagen Golf with registration number RSH-528 BV, police recovered one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), 1,063 rounds of 7.62x39mm AK-47 ammunition, and 232 rounds of 7.62x69mm PKT ammunition concealed inside the car,” Adejobi said.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the weapons were being moved from Hadejia in Jigawa State to Safana LGA in Katsina for distribution to criminal groups. The suspects are in custody as police continue investigations to trace the source, network, and possible affiliations of the arms.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the force’s resolve to dismantle organised criminal networks nationwide.
More LGAs Sign Peace Accords with Bandits
Meanwhile, additional local governments in Katsina State have signed peace agreements with bandits as part of efforts to reduce violence in rural communities.
The most recent accord involved Musawa LGA, which reached an understanding with armed groups under the state’s Operation Safe Corridor initiative. The dialogue, held on Sunday at Tashar Mai Alewa Primary School in Danmusa LGA, brought together community leaders, council officials, and representatives of the bandits.
The Musawa delegation was led by the council chairman and the district head, while the bandits were represented by Ummaru Munore and Wada Turawa, through their mediator, Ardo Abdulkarim Yantumaki.
According to a communiqué issued after the meeting, both sides resolved to strengthen peaceful coexistence, facilitate the release of abductees, and uphold justice and order. Security agencies have since stepped up patrols in the area to consolidate the gains of the peace process.
Last week, Kurfi LGA also signed a similar peace pact at Wurma forest, a notorious insecurity hotspot. The agreement, brokered by the district head of Kurfi, Alhaji Mansur Amadu Kurfi, and the local government chairman, Babangida Abdullahi Kurfi, saw key bandit leaders—including Alhaji Usman Kachalla Ruga, Sani Muhindinge, Yahaya Sani (Hayyu), and Alhaji Shu’aibu—pledge to halt hostilities, release captives, and allow farmers to return to their fields.
In return, community leaders promised to collaborate with the groups in rehabilitating schools and hospitals while ensuring fair treatment of detained bandit members.
So far, peace deals have been reached in Jibia, Batsari, Safana, and Danmusa LGAs as well.
Katsina’s Insecurity Challenge
Katsina remains one of the states hardest hit by banditry. Armed groups routinely raid villages, killing residents, abducting for ransom, rustling cattle, and destroying homes.
These attacks—often carried out by heavily armed men on motorcycles—have displaced thousands and forced farmers to abandon their fields, worsening food insecurity in the predominantly agrarian state.
Despite repeated military and police operations, the bandits have adapted by retreating into forests and resurfacing with renewed assaults on rural communities.
In response, the state government has promoted peace accords aimed at reducing bloodshed, securing the release of hostages, and restoring normalcy. While some communities have reported temporary relief, critics warn that such agreements may embolden bandits and undermine justice for victims.
