Katsina community leader arrested for allegedly coordinating kidnapping of subjects

A community leader in the Walawa village in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State has been arrested for allegedly conniving with bandits to kidnap his own people.

The suspect identified as Salisu Abdullahi, was reportedly arrested on Saturday by the local vigilante group after some bandits earlier arrested named him as their collaborator and informant in the community.

According to security and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, Abdullahi was said to be involved in the kidnap of not less than 17 members of his community.

In a post on his X handle on Sunday, Makama said: “Salisu Abdullahi, a community leader in Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State, has been arrested by the local vigilante group for his alleged involvement in banditry and kidnapping activities that have been terrorizing his own people as well as nearby communities.

“He was actively involved in orchestrating and facilitating kidnappings of 17 people within Walawa community.

“The suspect had been using his position of authority to exploit the vulnerabilities of his people, leading to the abduction of several residents for ransom.

“The arrest came after the vigilante group, in collaboration with local law enforcement, gathered substantial evidence linking the community leader to the criminal activities.

“The leader reportedly confessed to his involvement in the criminal acts during interrogation by the community watch, admitting to having coordinated several kidnapping operations.”