Police Arrest 3 Over Political Thuggery in Katsina

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested three suspects over an alleged political thuggery attack in Yankara town, Faskari Local Government Area, during which a vehicle belonging to a political supporter was set ablaze.

The incident occurred on Saturday, October 31, 2026, following Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s passage through Yankara on his way to the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Faskari town.

The police said the governor’s movement through the community was initially peaceful, with adequate security arrangements, but later received a report that suspected political thugs had blocked the road, pelted objects and set political posters ablaze.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the attackers also set fire to a Sharon vehicle belonging to a political supporter.

The statement explained that the vehicle had been parked by the roadside due to a mechanical fault after its driver left for the campaign venue.

It said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Faskari, working with other security agencies, promptly mobilised to the scene, dispersed the crowd and restored normalcy.

The three suspects arrested were identified as Garba Shu’aibu, 25; Salmanu Ibrahim, 18; and Nazifi Hussaini, 30.

The police said the suspects were allegedly directly linked to the incident, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and identify other fleeing suspects.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, warned political actors, supporters and miscreants against engaging in thuggery, violence or any activity capable of disrupting public peace.

He urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding while exercising their political rights peacefully and in accordance with the law.

The command reiterated its commitment to ensuring a peaceful electioneering process, warning that anyone found culpable of political violence would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.