The Katsina State Police Command has dismissed as false the widespread reports on social media alleging a hostage-swap arrangement between bandits and villagers in parts of Safana Local Government Area.
The rumour, which claimed that residents of Babban Duhu, Sabon Birni, and Babanli communities abducted relatives of bandits in order to exchange them for villagers earlier kidnapped, was described by the Command as “untrue, unfounded, and a malicious attempt to disrupt the relative peace in the state.”
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, said a detailed investigation, including intelligence checks and consultations with community leaders, showed that no such incident occurred in any of the affected communities.
“The Command wishes to state, in the strongest terms, that these rumours are baseless, false, and malicious,” the statement read. “There is no evidence of any hostage exchange between bandits and villagers in Babban Duhu, Sabon Birni, or Babanli.”
The police warned that circulating unverified information can heighten fear, undermine public confidence in security agencies, and potentially endanger lives.
The Command urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading misinformation, while encouraging them to report credible security-related details to the nearest police station or through the following emergency lines: 08156977777, 07072722539, and 09022209690.
DSP Aliyu reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
The statement was issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, on November 27, 2025.
