Katsina police seize explosives cache, arrest 3 suspects

From Agaju Madugba, Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has intercepted a Golf motor vehicle conveying a large cache of highly explosive materials.

The police said they arrested three suspects in connection with the illegal possession of the materials at Koza village, Daura Local Government Area.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the development may not be unconnected with recent directives from the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on enhanced vigilance and intelligence-led patrols, especially along highways.

Aliyu said in a statement on Tuesday that on January 7, 2026, while on an intelligence-led stop-and-search operation, the team succeeded in intercepting a Golf motor vehicle driven by one Jamilu Musa, 40.

“Upon instant search, 6,975 pieces of detonators were recovered in the suspect’s possession, neatly concealed.

“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having received the materials from one Najib, now at large, en route to Kwangolam, Mai’adua Local Government Area, Katsina State, from Kano State.

“In the course of the investigation, two suspects, one Ibrahim Murtala, 22, and one Sulaiman Muhammad, 35, were arrested in connection with the offence, and 7,500 electric detonators and 30½ bags of gelatine weighing 2,273.65 kg were recovered from the suspects’ possession.

“The suspects confessed to the commission of the offence and will soon be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded, as efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects.”