Katsina: No Hostage Swap Between Bandits, Villagers – Police

The Katsina State Police Command has debunked widespread social-media rumours alleging that villagers in Safana Local Government Area engaged in a hostage-swap operation with armed bandits.

The Command described the reports as entirely fabricated, malicious, and aimed at destabilising the relative peace being enjoyed in the affected communities.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, the viral posts claimed that bandits kidnapped residents of Babban Duhu, Sabon Birni, and Babanli villages, prompting villagers to abduct relatives of the bandits in retaliation, supposedly forcing both parties into a negotiated exchange of captives.

DSP Aliyu clarified that a thorough investigation was immediately launched after the misinformation began circulating.

Police operatives conducted intelligence checks, engaged with community leaders, and verified reports from the mentioned villages. The findings, he said, showed no record, trace, or evidence of such an incident ever taking place.

“The Command wishes to state, in the strongest terms, that these rumours are baseless, false, and malicious. There was no hostage-taking by villagers, no abduction of bandits’ relatives, and no exchange of captives in Babban Duhu, Sabon Birni, or Babanli. The entire story is a fabrication”, the statement read.

The Command warned that the spread of such falsehoods could inflame public fear, erode trust in security institutions, and endanger innocent lives.

DSP Aliyu emphasised that the circulation of unverified security-related information on social media has become a significant concern, urging residents to rely on credible sources and avoid sharing content that could escalate tensions.

He reaffirmed the Police Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, noting that ongoing operations across the state continue to yield progress in curbing criminal activities.

He encouraged citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of security efforts, advising them to report genuine security incidents or suspicious activities.