The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a suspected drug trafficker allegedly responsible for supplying illicit substances to armed bandits operating in Funtua Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, confirmed the development on Friday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Katsina.
According to him, the suspect, popularly known by the nickname “Dunbuje,” was apprehended on July 15 at about 5 p.m. by operatives attached to the Central Police Station in Funtua.
Sadiq-Aliyu disclosed that the arrest followed credible intelligence received by the command regarding the suspect’s alleged involvement in supplying drugs to criminal elements.
He explained that police operatives monitored the suspect’s movements before carrying out the operation that led to his arrest.
Following the arrest, officers conducted an immediate search, during which they recovered 500 tablets of an illicit drug identified as D5.
The police spokesperson said preliminary findings from the investigation revealed that the suspect had allegedly built a network supplying the prohibited substance to suspected armed bandits and other criminal groups operating within Funtua and nearby communities.
According to him, the drugs were allegedly being used to support the activities of the criminal gangs, thereby strengthening their operations and aiding violent crimes in the area.
Sadiq-Aliyu stated that the suspect remains in police custody as investigators continue efforts to uncover the full extent of the operation.
He said the investigation is focused on identifying the suspect’s suppliers, distribution channels and other individuals believed to be connected to the illicit drug network.
“The suspect is currently in police custody while investigations continue to unravel his distribution network, identify his source of supply and arrest other accomplices,” he said.
The police spokesman added that the suspect would be prosecuted once investigations are concluded.
He noted that the Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, Mr Ali Umar-Fage, commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism, vigilance and prompt response.
According to Sadiq-Aliyu, the commissioner reiterated the command’s determination to dismantle criminal networks by targeting not only armed groups but also individuals providing them with logistics, drugs and other forms of support.
He stressed that disrupting the supply chain of illicit drugs and other resources used by criminal gangs remains one of the command’s key strategies in combating insecurity across the state.
The police also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could assist in identifying criminals and preventing further criminal activities.
Sadiq-Aliyu assured members of the public that the command would sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting lives and property throughout Katsina State.
