The Katsina State Government has confirmed that a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, Nura Aliyu Garwa, who was recently linked to an alleged kidnapping syndicate in the state, had earlier been suspended from office over allegations of misconduct.
Garwa, who previously served as Senior Special Assistant on Community Development, was named among suspects allegedly connected to the abduction of an eight-year-old boy in Katsina metropolis.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Salisu Zango, the state government disclosed that Garwa had already been suspended over allegations involving the diversion of empowerment materials meant for communities in Batsari Local Government Area under the state’s Community Development Programme.
According to the statement, the former aide was also nursing political ambitions before the latest controversy emerged.
“The suspended aide had indicated interest in contesting for a seat in the Katsina State House of Assembly to represent Batsari Local Government Area,” the statement noted.
Reacting to the development, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda reportedly described the allegations against Garwa and the activities of the suspected kidnapping syndicate as disturbing and unfortunate.
The governor, according to the statement, expressed concern that “an individual with a public profile and political ambition could be linked to such allegations.”
The state government also commended the Katsina State Police Command and other security agencies for intensifying efforts to combat criminality and insecurity across the state.
The latest revelation follows the recent parade of suspected kidnappers by the Katsina State Police Command, during which security operatives announced the arrest of individuals allegedly connected to the abduction of an eight-year-old boy at Sardauna Estate in Katsina metropolis.
Authorities had disclosed during the parade that a former aide to the governor was allegedly linked to the syndicate, a development that has continued to generate widespread concern within the state.
