A POINT of Sale (PoS) operator and motorcycle spare parts dealer in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, Isiyaku Nasiru, has been taken into custody for allegedly assisting a bandit kingpin, Kachalla Muhammadu, in processing cash transactions running into millions of naira.
News Point Nigeria reports that Nasiru was arrested by the Katsina State Security Watch Corps alongside three others: Abubakar Sayaya, Nura Baka Sati and Ubale Mai Cange. The suspects were picked up at different locations in the state between Thursday and Saturday.
The council chairman, Shamsuddeen Muhammad Sayaya, who confirmed the arrests to this newspaper, said the suspects were linked to the network of the notorious bandit kingpin.
He said the suspects were being investigated, stressing that the arrests could provide security agencies with information capable of exposing the structures allegedly sustaining criminal activities in the area.
Nasiru was allegedly used as part of a financial chain through which money linked to Muhammadu was moved to people involved in procuring weapons and other supplies.
Matazu has endured a cycle of killings, abductions, displacement and economic devastation that has transformed once-thriving farming communities into settlements struggling to survive.
The area, once known for its agricultural activities, livestock production, commerce and vibrant communities, has witnessed the gradual abandonment of villages as residents flee attacks and farmers stay away from their fields for fear of being killed or abducted.
Residents told this newspaper that hundreds of people have been killed or injured over the years, while thousands have been displaced. More than 15 communities have reportedly been deserted or severely affected by the violence, with the crisis spilling into neighbouring local government areas, including Musawa, Kankia, Dutsinma and Kusada.
The abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, a former Director of Defence Information, brought the severity of the insecurity around Matazu into sharp national focus.
The retired general and his wife, Amina Abubakar, were travelling through the Matazu axis on May 30, 2026, when suspected bandits intercepted their vehicle along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road.
Police and security sources confirmed at the time that gunmen opened fire on the vehicle before abducting the couple. Their driver reportedly sustained gunshot injuries but escaped.
The incident took a tragic turn when the Katsina State Government confirmed that General Abubakar had died in captivity. His wife was later rescued.
Nasiru, according to information gathered by this newspaper, is originally from Mashi Local Government Area. He reportedly came to Matazu to pursue Islamic education before eventually settling in the area with his wife and mother and later setting up a spare parts and PoS business.
A Matazu resident, Babangida Musa, told our correspondent that Nasiru had left the Islamic school years before the death of his teacher and subsequently ventured into the sale of motorcycle spare parts and PoS services.
“Isiyaku (Nasiru) left the Islamic school long before his Islamic teacher died. He had already gone into business, selling motorcycle spare parts and operating POS services,” Musa said, adding that Nasiru’s exit from the school and subsequent involvement in business were known within the community.
According to an interrogation account seen by this newspaper, Nasiru allegedly received money in cash from Muhammadu through a person identified as Salmanu.
The money was reportedly transferred to one Musa Sani, who allegedly routed it to a gunrunner for the procurement of weapons and other supplies.
Nasiru reportedly appeared in an interrogation recording in which he said the information he provided was voluntary and not obtained under duress. He also reportedly expressed regret over his alleged involvement.
Reports claimed that Salmanu delivered an average of N3 million to N5 million in cash to Nasiru on a daily basis, which he used to run PoS transactions by giving out cash to local traders and residents who made transfers to his account.
It was alleged that Nasiru would then take his commission and transfer the remaining funds to a bank account belonging to Sani, who then used the money to buy guns, ammunition and motorcycles for Muhammadu.
Sources told this newspaper that Abubakar, who hails from Sayaya, allegedly confessed that he was sent to collect ammunition from Ubale.
He reportedly identified a man named Lawal, also known as Yaya, a senior bandit commander working with Muhammad, as the person who allegedly sent him.
Ubale, according to the sources, allegedly confirmed that he handed ammunition to Abubakar on two occasions. He reportedly identified a person named Mustapha as his alleged source.
The accounts point to a possible chain involving several individuals between the source of ammunition and the people allegedly collecting and transporting it.
Another suspect identified in connection with the investigation is Sati, also from Sayaya village, who allegedly relocated to Marabar Musawa in Musawa Local Government Area following the attack that left seven people dead in Sayaya community some months ago.
Sati allegedly collected cattle from the bandit leader, sold them on his behalf and performed other errands. He was also allegedly involved in providing food and other logistical support.