“Is it any wonder bandits and terrorists are running riot and having a field day in Katsina State?” Katsina town residents were asking when news of the theft broke.
“Even the most secured building in the state, the Government House, which houses the state’s chief executive officer’s office was robbed of N31 million in cash. Story for the demons!”
“It is not true, they know what they have done and are doing.”
With comments as caustic and jocular, residents of Katsina, the state capital reacted to reports in the media of N31 million being stolen from the Government House.
Recall that, according to media reports, the Katsina State Government confirmed the stealing of millions of naira by unknown persons at the account section of the State Government House.
The Director-General to the governor on New Media, Alhaji Al-Amin Isah, confirmed the incident in an interview with journalists on Thursday, according to Channels Television.
Although Isah couldn’t disclose the amount stolen, he said that some of the suspects were already in police custody undergoing investigation.
“Yes, it’s true that some money was alleged to have been stolen as you have asked. We have already reported the matter to the police for investigation. I can not tell you the exact figure now, but those in the best position will give you more updates, please,” he added.
But sources familiar with what happened told Channels Television that the money stolen was in the sum of N31 million.
This is the second time such an incident is happening at the Katsina Government House.
In January 2020, a similar incident occurred when unknown persons allegedly broke into the office of the former Secretary to the State Government of Katsina (SSG), Mustapha Inuwa, and made away with N16 million.
The office which is located at the State Secretariat was said to have been broken into in the night and some suspects were arrested a day after in connection with the incident.
Those arrested included a security guard, and two government officials working at the SSG’s office.
Earlier in July 2022, the police in Katsina State said it was investigating the alleged stealing of N61 million from a cashier at the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Aminu Darma.
He was allegedly attacked by gunmen while travelling with three bags filled with N61 million cash and shot in the arm before the money was stolen
The gunmen were said to have followed Mr. Darma from the bank but he didn’t stop when they tried to stop his car around the Katsina Steel Rolling Company roundabout. Instead, he returned to the metropolitan city and the gunmen continued chasing his car.
He eventually lost control of the car and hit an object which forced him to stop.
In reaction, the police said the cashier should not have in the first place withdrawn such a huge amount of money without a police escort.