Ex-Katsina gov’s aide arrested over ‘kidnap ransom share’

Nuru Garwa, a former Special Adviser on Community Development to Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, has been arrested over alleged links to a kidnapping syndicate operating in the state.

This was disclosed in a post on X by Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency and security expert in the Lake Chad region.

Makama revealed that the suspect, who recently resigned from his appointment to contest for a seat in the State House of Assembly, was arrested on May 24 following an ongoing investigation into the abduction of an eight-year-old boy.

He said that the victim was abducted on May 13 while returning home from a Quranic school.

According to him, the kidnappers reportedly contacted the family and initially demanded a ransom of N50 million before negotiations reduced the amount to N17 million, which was eventually paid.

The security expert disclosed that the family later contacted the Violent Crime Response Unit in Katsina State, which commenced a discreet investigation into the incident.

He added that preliminary investigation reportedly led to the arrest of six suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate on May 23. Further investigation led to the arrest of the ex-governor’s aide. 

“The arrest of the initial suspects provided further intelligence that led operatives to the alleged kingpin identified as Nuru Aliyu Garwa.

“Security operatives who searched the suspect’s residence reportedly recovered N7.5 million cash concealed inside a “Ghana-Must-Go” bag, believed to be part of the ransom proceeds.

“Investigators also recovered a motorcycle allegedly used for operational activities by the gang, alongside other items considered relevant to the investigation.

“The suspect is currently in custody while investigations continue to determine the full extent of his alleged involvement and identify other possible accomplices linked to the kidnapping network,” he said.