KATSINA, Nigeria — The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 20-year-old man, Adam Tama, for allegedly attacking his 19-year-old cousin with knives and firewood before robbing her of mobile phones and cash in Kankara Local Government Area.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, saying the incident occurred on June 22 at about 3:23pm and was reported shortly afterwards at the Sabon Gari Police Division .
According to the police, the suspect allegedly assaulted the victim, Fatima Lawal, inflicting a deep cut on her right ear and multiple injuries across her body. He then tied her with a rope, covered her mouth with a sponge in an attempt to suffocate her, and, believing she was dead, dragged her into a bathroom before fleeing .
Items allegedly stolen during the attack included an iPhone 13 Pro Max valued at ₦750,000, a Samsung A05 phone worth ₦185,000, a power bank, and ₦18,500 in cash .
Police said detectives were immediately deployed upon receipt of the report. The victim was rushed to the nearest hospital for urgent medical attention and was later discharged after treatment. Operatives swiftly tracked down and apprehended the suspect .
During a search, the suspect was found in possession of the stolen iPhone 13 Pro Max and a school bag containing a pair of sandals and a long gown, which he confessed to purchasing with part of the proceeds of the robbery. Two blood-stained knives and the piece of firewood used in the attack were also recovered. During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to committing the crimes .
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar Fage, commended the complainant for promptly reporting the incident and praised officers for their swift and professional response. He assured that the command remains fiercely committed to protecting lives and property across Katsina State .
The police reiterated their resolve to ensure that perpetrators of violent crimes are brought to justice in the state. The suspect will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation .
The incident has raised concerns about rising cases of violent crime and attacks on women in the state. Residents of Kankara and surrounding communities have called on security agencies to intensify patrols and surveillance to prevent such attacks. Community leaders have also urged families to report suspicious activities and ensure that disputes are resolved through peaceful means rather than violence .
The Katsina State Police Command has urged members of the public to continue cooperating with security agencies by reporting suspicious activities promptly. The command warned that it would not tolerate any form of criminality and that all offenders would be brought to justice .
