Ex-gov’s aide linked to kidnap syndicate in Katsina

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The Katsina State Government has confirmed that a former Senior Special Assistant on Community Development, Nura Garwa, who is currently being investigated over alleged involvement in a kidnapping syndicate, had earlier been suspended from office before contesting for a seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly.

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

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This is contained in a statement by the Commissioner of Information and Culture, Salisu Zango, on Sunday.

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He said Garwa had previously been suspended by the government over alleged diversion of empowerment materials meant for communities in Batsari Local Government Area under the state’s Community Development Programme.

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According to the statement, “Suspected Mastermind of bandit syndicate suspended as Gov Aide earlier before contesting.

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“The suspected mastermind of a kidnapping syndicate Nura Aliyu Garwa, involving the kidnapping of an 8-year-old boy at Sardauna Estate in Katsina Metropolis, has been suspended as SSA on Community Development to Katsina State Governor, His Excellency Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON earlier before his intention to contest for the seat of member, Katsina State House of Assembly in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

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“Nura Aliyu Garwa was suspended by the State Government for his involvement in the diversion of empowerment materials meant for distribution to communities in Batsari Local Government, under the state government Community Development Program.

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“Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, of Katsina State, described the activities of the gang as unfortunate, particularly as it involves a profile individual who even contested for the position of a member of the state House of Assembly.

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“Radda commended the state police command and other security agencies in the state for their commitment to secure the state.

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“He then called on the public to support the government effort by providing information and reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.

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“It should be recalled that the Katsina State Police command has paraded suspects linked to a kidnapping syndicate involving the abduction of an 8-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis”.

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The development follows the recent parade of suspected kidnappers by the Nigeria Police Force in Katsina, where authorities announced the arrest of members of a syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of the young boy in Katsina metropolis, including Nura, the prime suspect.

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