By Abigail Philip David
The Katsina State Police Command has arrested Bishir Abdullahi, a notorious fraudster, in possession of 14 stolen ATM cards, accused of defrauding victims of over ₦2.7 million. The arrest took place at a First Bank branch in the Tudun Katsira area of Katsina, where an alert officer uncovered a scheme involving ATM card swapping and fraudulent withdrawals targeting unsuspecting customers across the state.
Speaking during the parade of the suspect alongside others arrested for various crimes, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sadiq Abubakar, revealed that the 37-year-old suspect had used the stolen cards to withdraw amounts ranging from ₦49,000 to ₦900,000 from victims’ accounts. Preliminary investigations have linked Abdullahi to multiple incidents, with a total of ₦2.7 million stolen.
The Police Command also reported other key successes in its efforts to combat crime, including arrests related to kidnapping, theft, armed robbery, and vandalism.
In Kankia Local Government Area, police apprehended Mu’azu Yunusa, a suspect involved in two separate kidnapping cases in Mai Danko village. Yunusa allegedly orchestrated the abduction of five victims, including a 14-year-old girl and a housewife, in October and November 2024. His arrest followed complaints from the victims’ families, which led to further investigation and his identification as the perpetrator.
In addition, a four-man gang that had been terrorizing Sabon Gari in Katsina metropolis was dismantled. The suspects – Umar Musa (25), Abidina Suleiman (24), Aliyu Salisu (25), and Abdullahi Bala (19) – confessed to stealing goods worth over ₦1 million, including women’s wrappers, detergents, and food items. Police recovered various stolen items and burglary tools during the investigation.
The Command also arrested Salisu Abubakar (20) and Abdulrahman Abdulmumin (13) for vandalizing the Ministry of Transport building and the Nigerian Customs Clinic in Jibia LGA. They were found in possession of stolen high-tension wires, air conditioners, and electrical cables. The suspects provided information about their accomplices and those receiving the stolen goods, aiding ongoing investigations.
The Katsina State Police Command remains committed to fighting crime and encourages residents to provide timely information to help enhance community safety.
