Nine Arrested in Katsina for Stealing Nutritional Food

The Katsina State Police Command, along with the Joint Taskforce Committee on Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food, has arrested nine suspects. They also recovered 1,624 sachets of a nutritional product called "Yar Kwamaso."

The arrests happened during different operations in Katsina metropolis and Mashi Local Government Area. This followed tips about the illegal sale and diversion of RUTF meant to help malnourished people.

A statement from the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, said, "the first arrest was made on September 3, 2026, at about 8pm at Mobil Quarters, Katsina."

“Operatives intercepted and arrested a 46-year-old woman, Amina Abdurrahman. She was allegedly found with two sacks that held 600 sachets of suspected diverted RUTF. During questioning, she confessed to buying the food from an accomplice who is still at large in Kofar Marusa area of Katsina,” the statement added.

Second Operation

The police carried out a second operation on September 7 at about 5pm. This took place at Mashi Market in Mashi LGA and Kwado Quarters in Katsina. Eight more suspects were arrested during this operation.

The suspects are Aisha Rabi’u, Jamila Yahaya, Farida Kabir, Shafa’atu Abubakar, Sabiu Kabir, Rabilu Rabi’u, Maryam Kabir, and Buhari Usman. The police recovered 888 sachets of RUTF from seven suspects at Mashi Market. Usman had another 136 sachets at Kwado Quarters.

The total recovered from these operations is 1,624 sachets of diverted RUTF. All nine suspects are now in police custody. Investigations into the diversion network are ongoing.

The statement also mentioned, "the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Ali Umar Fage, ordered a thorough investigation. This is to uncover the source, supply chain, and networks involved in diverting therapeutic food meant for public health and malnutrition interventions."

“After the investigation, all suspects will be taken to court,” the statement said. The police reminded traders and vendors not to buy, sell, or handle any diverted government medical supplies. They warned that anyone caught in this illegal trade would face the law.

These arrests come as part of efforts to improve the distribution and monitoring of nutritional products aimed at vulnerable children and others needing help with malnutrition in the state.