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Bandits demand N30 million ransom
From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
The Katsina State government says Hafiz Abdulsalam Rabi’u, winner of the recent National Qur’anic Recitation Competition, is alive and healthy.
Terrorists abducted Hafiz along with some members of his family last week, with reports claiming that he had been killed in the process.
Reacting to the development on Sunday, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr. Bala Salisu-Zango, noted that none of the victims was killed but that the bandits have demanded N30 million for their release.
According to the statement, “The Katsina State Government received reports indicating that the Kebbi State Government was offering condolences over the alleged killing of the Hafiz.
“That information is incorrect. We appreciate the concern shown by the Kebbi State Government regarding this unfortunate incident, but we want to assure the public that those abducted are still alive in the custody of their captors.
“The state government received information that the kidnappers had demanded N30 million as ransom for the release of Abdulsalam and his relatives.
“Governor Dikko Radda is deeply concerned about the situation and is making every effort to ensure their safe release.
“The Governor has also directed security agencies to take all necessary measures to rescue them unharmed.”
In a related development, the Katsina Police Command says it foiled an attempt by terrorists to attack a community in Dan-Musa Local Government Area.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, “On the 15th of March, 2025, at about 1230 hours, based on credible intelligence received from operatives of the Department of State Services in Danmusa, armed bandits in their numbers were assembling at Maijele Mountain in Danmusa Local Government Area in a bid to launch an attack on Dan Takuri village.
“Upon receipt of the information, a joint team of police operatives and members of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps (KSCWC), led by the DPO Danmusa, stormed the mountain where the suspected armed bandits were assembling.
“A fierce gun duel ensued, resulting in the neutralisation of one of the bandits due to the superior tactics and firepower of the operatives, while several others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
“While scanning the scene, the following exhibits were recovered: one AK-47 rifle with three rounds of
7.62mm ammunition, one unregistered red Boxer motorcycle, 50 wraps of suspected Indian hemp, 32 bottles of soft drinks, one cutlass, and dangerous drugs.”