The Niger State Police Command has arrested three suspects in connection with the attack on the Chairman of Katcha Local Government, Danladi Abdullahi Saku.

The council chairman was beaten to a pulp on June 16, 2024, by his assailants for allegedly refusing to repay a political campaign loan of over N1 million he secured in the local government.

Saku was attacked along the Saku-Gadza road after the Sallah prayer in his village, Saku, Katcha LGA.

In a statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) SP Wasiu Abiodun in Minna, the attack was reported to be linked to a debt issue between the Chairman and his creditor from the same area.

He explained that a preliminary investigation was conducted at Katcha Division, and three suspects were later identified, apprehended, and transferred to Bida Area Command.

The suspects include Alhaji Abdullahi Kasimu, 68, of Gadza village, Katcha; Alhaji Baba Mohammed, 30, of the same village; and Ahmadu Mohammed, 25.

According to him, “The suspects were transferred to SCID on June 21 for discreet investigation and prosecution. During interrogation, Alhaji Kasimu narrated that he lent the victim over a million naira in August 2023 and that several attempts to recover the money proved abortive.”

He further stated, “On June 16, the victim promised to come and see him, and while he was on the way after the Sallah prayer, his son Ahmadu Mohammed, his in-law Alhaji Baba Mohammed, among others, accosted the Chairman, had an altercation, and inflicted serious injuries on the victim. The victim transferred the money to him at the point before being rushed to the hospital.”

The PRO further disclosed that the suspects are under investigation in SCID, Minna, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend others at large.

“They will be charged to court for prosecution immediately after investigations,” the statement added.