The Katsina Community Watch Corps (C-Watch) has arrested a 27-year-old man, identified as Ubaidu, over his alleged involvement in banditry and his suspected association with a notorious gang led by Muhammadu, popularly known as Kachalla Maha.
According to C-Watch officials, the suspect allegedly confessed during an interrogation to participating in terrorist activities, cattle rustling, and attacks on several communities in Katsina State. Authorities also claimed that the gang has been linked to the abduction of the late retired Major General Rabe Abubakar.
During the questioning, Ubaidu identified himself as a native of Kankia Local Government Area and admitted to operating under the command of Muhammadu. He named several alleged accomplices and said the group carried out attacks on communities including Tsanyawa village, Sabon Gari Garu and Tsaya.
The suspect claimed that members of the gang were armed with AK-47 rifles during the operations and allegedly rustled cattle while attacking residents. He further stated that fatalities occurred during some of the attacks, including an incident in Sabon Gari Garu where he said two people were killed, while he could not provide the exact number of casualties recorded in Tsaya.
Asked why he joined the group, Ubaidu said he was persuaded and lured into the criminal activities. He also expressed regret over his actions and told investigators he was willing to cooperate with security authorities by providing information that could help locate Muhammadu.
C-Watch officials said the suspect made his statements voluntarily and was neither tortured nor coerced during the interrogation.
The arrest comes as security agencies continue efforts to combat banditry across Katsina State and the wider North-West region, where armed groups have been responsible for kidnappings, cattle rustling and deadly attacks on rural communities.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing and that efforts to apprehend other members of the suspected gang remain underway.
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