The Katsina State Police Command has arrested two suspected bandits and recovered more than 150 livestock suspected to have been rustled at Gidan Mutum Daya in Kusada Local Government Area of the state.
The police also dismissed reports that bandits blocked the Katsina-Kano highway in the area, explaining that the temporary disruption of traffic occurred when security operatives moved the recovered livestock across the road.
This is contained in a statement released by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu and made available to newsmen on Friday.
According to the statement, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and local vigilantes arrested the suspects during a routine patrol based on actionable intelligence at about 5pm on Thursday.
The suspects were identified as Abdulkadir Umar, 23, and Suleiman Baiti, 21.
The statement read, “RE: VIRAL RUMOR OF BANDITS BLOCKING KATSINA-KANO ROAD AT GIDAN MUTUM DAYA IS FALSE AND MISLEADING.
“The Katsina State Police Command is aware of a false report circulating on social media alleging that armed bandits blocked the Katsina-Kano Highway at Gidan Mutum Daya in Kusada Local Government Area (LGA), Katsina State.
“The Command wishes to state categorically that this report is false, misleading, and entirely unfounded.
“To set the record straight: On October 15, 2026, at about 5:00 PM, members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC) and local vigilantes on routine patrol, acting on actionable intelligence, arrested two (2) suspected armed bandits at Gidan Mutum Daya, Kusada LGA. The suspects have been identified as:
1. Abdulkadir Umar, male, aged 23 years.
2. Suleiman Baiti, male, aged 21 years.
“Upon preliminary interrogation, both suspects confessed to belonging to a syndicate of armed bandits terrorizing parts of the state.
“Following their confession, at about 6:30 PM on the same day, police operatives attached to the Kusada Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), mobilized jointly with the KSCWC and local vigilantes to a location identified by the suspects. The operation led to the successful recovery of over 150 suspected rustled livestock, comprising cattle, goats, and sheep, which were subsequently moved to a secure facility.
“During the movement of the livestock, vehicular traffic along the Katsina-Kano Highway was briefly halted by security operatives to allow the large herd to safely cross the road. Normal traffic flow was restored immediately afterward.
“The Command clarifies that at no point was there an attack by bandits, a road blockade by criminals, or any threat to commuters.
“Investigation into the case is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated in due course.
“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, psc(+), mnips, commends all operatives involved in the operation for their synergy and prompt action. He reassures the public that the Katsina-Kano Highway remains secure, safe, and fully motorable.
“Members of the public are advised to disregard the false narrative, desist from spreading unverified information, and always verify news with credible official sources to avoid creating unnecessary panic,” the statement added.