Katsina police charge local man for spying on behalf of armed robbery gang who terrorise area

POLICE in Katsina State have arrested 39-year old Sani Usman  and charged him to court for allegedly spying for a gang of armed robbers who recently invaded a village in the state and made away with about N500,000 in cash among other things.

Mr Usman, also known as Nahauwa of Shirwa village in Charanchi Local Government Area of Katsina State, will remain in prison custody till September 25, when his case would come up before Chief Magistrate Falile Dikko for mention. He is facing various charges including criminal conspiracy and armed robbery, which the police said are contrary to Section 6B(10(a)(6)of the robbery  and firearm Act; Special provision Cap .R11 of LFN,2004.

Two members of the robbery gang,  Nafiu Bello and Baballe Hazo, who were also charged alongside Mr Usman, are, however at large. A First Information Report revealed that the armed robbers numbering about 20 had on July 23 invaded Giaza village in the Kankia Local Government Area of the state around 2am and robbed one Mallam Saidu Sada and Shaiabu Abdulrasheed, in their house and shops respectively.

During the attack, the armed robbers were said to be armed with dangerous weapons including AK47 rifles, machetes and sticks, among others. Mallam Sada told the police he was robbed of N120,000 while his wife, Fatimah, was robbed of N80,000, foodstuff and women wears.

Mr Abdulrasheed, on his part, said the robbers made away with his N255,000 and various provision items in his shop. Police officials said they carried out a thorough investigation immediately after the incident was reported to the Kankia Police Station and the robbers were traced to the residences of Nafiu Bello and Baballe Hazo who are now at large.

Prosecutor Inspector Sani Ado, added that Mr Usman was allegedly seen spying on the village just before the armed robbers struck. He informed the court that investigation into the case was still in progress and requested for an adjournment.