The Katsina State Government has confirmed that a former Senior Special Assistant on Community Development, Nura Aliyu Garwa, who is currently under investigation for alleged involvement in a kidnapping syndicate, had earlier been suspended from office before contesting for a seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly.
Garwa was recently paraded by the Katsina State Police Command over the alleged kidnapping of an eight-year-old boy at Sardauna Estate in Katsina metropolis.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Salisu Zango.
According to the statement, Garwa had previously been suspended by the state government over allegations involving the diversion of empowerment materials meant for distribution to communities in Batsari Local Government Area under the state’s Community Development Programme.
The government stated that the former aide was suspended before he declared his intention to contest for a seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Batsari Local Government Area.
The statement described Garwa as the suspected mastermind of a kidnapping syndicate allegedly involved in the abduction of an eight-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis.
Governor Dikko Umaru Radda reportedly described the activities of the syndicate as unfortunate, especially considering that one of the suspects was a public figure who had contested for legislative office in the state.
Radda also commended the police and other security agencies for their efforts in tackling criminal activities and maintaining security across the state.
He urged residents to support the government’s security efforts by providing useful information and reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
The development followed the recent parade of suspected kidnappers by the Nigeria Police Force in Katsina, where authorities announced the arrest of members of a syndicate allegedly responsible for the abduction of the young boy, including Garwa, identified as the prime suspect.
