The Katsina State Police Command has denied reports circulating online that claim residents of Safana Local Government Area engaged in a hostage-swap arrangement with bandit groups.
In a statement issued on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, described the accounts as fabricated stories with no link to events on the ground. He noted that the false posts alleged that villagers in Babban Duhu, Sabon Birni, and Babanli kidnapped relatives of bandits in retaliation for earlier abductions, leading to an exchange of captives.
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Aliyu explained that a full review involving intelligence officers, community leaders, and security operatives did not produce any evidence that such an incident took place. He stressed that nothing of the sort occurred in the three communities mentioned in the reports and warned that the spread of misleading narratives can heighten fear and undermine public confidence in ongoing security work.
He assured residents that the police remain committed to protecting lives and property across Safana and the entire state. He also urged the public to avoid circulating unverified claims and instead share credible information with security agencies through the command’s emergency contacts: 08156977777, 07072722539, or 09022209690.
