Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Katsina Community Watch Corps (C-Watch), a local security outfit, has arrested a man who allegedly confessed to working under a notorious bandit leader linked to the abduction and death of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, according to a video obtained by SaharaReporters. The suspect, identified as Ubaidu, was paraded at a C-Watch office where he admitted to participating in terrorist activities, cattle rustling, and attacks on several communities under the command of the bandit leader Muhammadu, popularly known as Kachalla Maha.
The arrest comes amid worsening insecurity in parts of Katsina State and the wider North-West, where bandit groups have been linked to mass killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities.
During an interrogation captured on video, Ubaidu, who said he is about 27 years old and from Kankia Local Government Area, confessed to being involved in terrorism. When asked if the allegation against him was true, he answered, "Yes." He also named several accomplices, including Jamilu, Buhari, Umar, and Isah, all from Tudun Lafiya, as well as Uban Dabbataƙo, whom he identified as Muhammadu. Ubaidu told interrogators that he was not beaten or forced to confess, saying, "I decided to speak".
The suspect detailed several attacks he allegedly participated in. He mentioned Tsanyawa village, where he said they "rustled cattle and attacked people" using about ten AK-47 rifles. He also admitted to operations in Sabon Gari Garu, where they again rustled cattle. When asked about killings, Ubaidu confirmed that people were killed in Tsaya and Sabon Gari Garu. In Sabon Gari Garu, he said two people were killed, while in Tsaya, he said many people were killed but he did not know the exact figure.
Asked what tempted him to join the violent group, Ubaidu replied, "Honestly, it was fate and persuasion. The group lured me and convinced me". When asked if he believed what he did was right, he answered, "Honestly… no". He also expressed willingness to cooperate with security authorities in tracking down Muhammadu, saying, "By God's grace, yes". At the end of the interrogation, Ubaidu said he was "asking for justice".
Kachalla Muhammadu has been identified as the bandit leader responsible for the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife. The general was abducted along the Marabar Musawa–Kafinsoli Road in Matazu Local Government Area on May 30, 2026. He later died in captivity, while his wife, Hajiya Amina Abubakar, remained in captivity for weeks. Kachalla had previously claimed he would release the widow but later reneged, saying he did not want security agencies to take credit for it. The bandit leader also expressed anger over the arrest of persons he claimed were connected to his group, saying the arrests had affected any possible dialogue.
The arrest of Ubaidu is a significant breakthrough for the Katsina Community Watch Corps, which has been at the forefront of efforts to combat banditry in the state. The suspect's confession provides valuable intelligence on the operations of Kachalla's network and could aid in efforts to track down the bandit leader and other members of his gang. The development also highlights the critical role of local security outfits in complementing the efforts of formal security agencies in addressing the security challenges in the North-West.
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