The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old man for alleged impersonation and attempted armed robbery after he was reportedly caught chasing a victim while brandishing a toy pistol in Katsina metropolis.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident occurred on August 22, 2026, at about 7:00 p.m., when the police received information that a suspect was pursuing an unidentified person with what appeared to be a firearm in an alleged attempt to rob the victim.
Following the report, police operatives, working with members of a local vigilante group, launched a search and arrested the suspect at about 8:00 p.m. at Kofar Sauri, Katsina.
A search of the suspect reportedly led to the recovery of a black toy pistol, which the police said was allegedly used to intimidate the victim.
According to the command, the suspect could not provide a satisfactory explanation during preliminary questioning regarding how he came into possession of the toy firearm.
He remains in police custody as investigations into the incident continue.
In a statement issued and signed on Monday, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq, said the Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, Ali Fage, commended members of the community and the local vigilante group for their vigilance and timely cooperation.
The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
Fage also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime and protecting lives and property across Katsina State.
