The Katsina State Police Command has arrested four suspects over a mob attack that resulted in the killing and burning of a man, identified as KC Joe, in Kokami village, Danja Local Government Area of the state.
The police said the suspects are currently in custody as investigations into the violent incident continue.
According to a statement on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq, the tragic episode followed a deadly altercation between the deceased and one Ibrahim Auwal, whom Joe allegedly stabbed to death during a dispute.
The development reportedly triggered a reprisal attack by angry youths in the community, who mobbed Joe, killed him, and set his body ablaze.
Sadiq said operatives of the command swiftly responded to the distress call, adding that normalcy had since been restored in the area, while efforts were made to secure the family of the deceased.
Condemning the incident, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Fage, described the act as “unfortunate and unacceptable,” warning residents against resorting to self-help.
He urged members of the public to always report grievances to the nearest police station rather than taking the law into their own hands.
Fage assured that the command would carry out a comprehensive investigation into the incident to ensure that all those involved are brought to justice.
“Further development will be communicated in due course,” the police statement added.
In a separate reaction, the Katsina State Government condemned the killings, noting that the incident stemmed from a disagreement over the purchase of garri and sachet water at a local shop.
According to the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Dr. Nasir Mu’azu Danmusa, what began as a minor argument escalated into violence, leading to the death of Ibrahim Khalil Auwal, who was stabbed by Joe.
He explained that following Auwal’s death at Abdullahi Makama Hospital, Dabai, angry youths in the area mobilised in reprisal, attacked Joe, and set his remains ablaze along the highway.
Danmusa described the act as deeply regrettable and contrary to the values of peaceful coexistence in the state, stressing that the government would not tolerate any form of jungle justice.
“It should be emphasised that the incident was a criminal act arising from a personal dispute. It must not be twisted into an ethnic or religious conflict,” he said.
He assured that all those involved in both the initial killing and the reprisal attack would be identified and prosecuted, adding that security agencies had been deployed to the area to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
The government also commiserated with the families of the deceased and urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid spreading rumours that could heighten tension.
Meanwhile, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, in a statement marking the Easter celebration, called on residents to embrace unity and peaceful coexistence as a foundation for development in the state.
The governor urged Christians to use the Easter season to strengthen faith and promote harmony, noting that religious tolerance remains critical to progress.
He emphasised that both Christians and Muslims must work together to sustain peace, adding that division only hampers development.
Governor Radda also commended the Christian community for its contributions to the growth of the state and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the rights of all residents to practise their religion freely.
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