N31m stolen by unknown thieves in Katsina Government House

For the second time in two years, thieves have reportedly broken into the Katsina State Government House and stolen N31 million.

It was learnt that the thieves on Sunday night broke into the Office of the Financial Controller located within the state Government House and carted away the money kept in a sack when the Financial Controller, Salisu Batsari, was in the office.

Confirming the incident, the state governor’s media assistant, Al Amin Isa, said: “I didn’t see the CCTV footage but you know it will be part of what the police will request. But I heard that the footage revealed a man wearing a face mask getting into the office through a half-shut window.

“The matter had been reported to the police and the state government and the security agents are investigating the theft and I know that the culprits would be arrested and punished accordingly.”

Meanwhile, some government officials have been arrested in connection with the theft though they were later released, a source within the Government House has disclosed.

The source, who preferred not to be named, said: “When on Monday the state government found out about the theft, it quickly involved the police and an investigation was launched.

“The FC (financial controller) and some of his staff as well some security officers that were on duty on the fateful day were invited by the police for questioning but were later released.”

It would be recalled that in 2020, N16m was stolen from the Office of the Secretary of Government of the State (SGS) and two government officials and a security guard were arrested in connection with the theft.