Police arrest nine suspects in Katsina, recover diverted nutritional food

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The Katsina State Police Command, in collaboration with the Joint Taskforce Committee on Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, has arrested nine suspects and recovered 1,624 sachets of the diverted nutritional product popularly known as “Yar Kwamaso.”

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The suspects were arrested during separate operations conducted in Katsina metropolis and Mashi Local Government Area of the state following intelligence on the alleged diversion and illegal sale of RUTF meant for malnutrition interventions.

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According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, “the first arrest was made on September 3, 2026, at about 8pm at Mobil Quarters, Katsina.

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“Operatives intercepted and arrested a 46-year-old woman, Amina Abdurrahman, who was allegedly found with two sacks containing 600 sachets of suspected diverted RUTF.

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“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to purchasing the commodities from an accomplice currently at large in the Kofar Marusa area of Katsina,” the statement said.

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The Command noted that “a second operation was carried out on September 7 at about 5pm at Mashi Market in Mashi LGA and Kwado Quarters in Katsina.

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“The operation resulted in the arrest of eight additional suspects identified as Aisha Rabi’u, Jamila Yahaya, Farida Kabir, Shafa’atu Abubakar, Sabiu Kabir, Rabilu Rabi’u, Maryam Kabir and Buhari Usman.”

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The police said 888 sachets of RUTF were recovered from seven of the suspects at Mashi Market, while another 136 sachets were recovered from Usman at Kwado Quarters.

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“A total of 1,624 sachets of diverted RUTF have been recovered across these operations,” the Command said.

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The nine suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue into the alleged diversion network.

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The statement further said, “the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, ordered a thorough investigation to uncover the source, supply chain and networks allegedly involved in diverting therapeutic food intended for public health and malnutrition interventions.

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“Upon conclusion of the investigation, all suspects will be arraigned in court,” the statement read.

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The Command also warned traders and vendors against buying, selling or handling diverted government medical supplies and other public health interventions, adding that anyone found participating in the illegal trade would “be subject to the full extent of the law.”

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The latest arrests come amid efforts to strengthen the distribution and monitoring of nutritional commodities intended for vulnerable children and other beneficiaries of malnutrition interventions in the state.

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