CITIZENS COMPASS— Nuru Garwa, a former aide to the governor of Katsina State is currently undergoing interrogations over his alleged involvement in sharing of the sum of N17m ransome.
Garwa was Special Adviser on Community Development to Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda.
Reports said he was allegedly linked to a kidnapping syndicate operating in the state.
The arrest recently occurred following a tip off after he resigned from his appointment to contest for the House of Assembly election in 2027.
Earlier, an eight-year-old boy was said to be kidnapped in which security operatives have commenced investigations.
According to the sources, the victim was abducted on May 13 while returning home from a Quranic school.
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 sources said the family later contacted the Violent Crime Response Unit in Katsina State, which commenced a discreet investigation into the incident.
Preliminary investigation reportedly led to the arrest of six suspected members of the kidnapping syndicate on May 23.
“The arrest of the initial suspects provided further intelligence that led operatives to the alleged kingpin identified as Nuru Aliyu Garwa,” the sources said.
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.
The sources added that 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.
The incident has generated widespread reactions within the state, particularly due to the suspect’s previous role in government and his political aspirations.
A security expert, Zagazola Makama, on Thursday, took to his X Handle formerly known as Twitter to share the development.
