Kano state Police Command has on Friday said that it has arrested one Aminu Rabiu and Fatihu Rabiu for operating an illegal rehabilitation centre in the state.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the state government had banned the operations of such local rehabilitation centres, also known as Gidan Mari in the state.
The ban followed the discovery of a series of such centres, where people were chained, molested and tortured in the name of rehabilitation.
A statement by the police command spokesman, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said police acted on a tip-off to discover the centre, located at Yar Akwa, Na’ibawa quarters of Tarauni Local Government area.
He said the information, which came from a credible source, was that one Aminu Rabiu of Yar Akwa area, alongside his brother, Fatihu Rabiu are running an illegal rehabilitation centre with chained inmates.
On receipt of the report, according to him, the commissioner of police, Sama’ila Dikko, immediately raised and instructed team of detectives to proceed to the scene, rescue the victims and arrest the culprits.
Mr Kiyawa added that the team immediately arrived at the scene and discovered 47 inmates confined in a house, with four of them shackled.
He explained that the victims were rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital, Kano for treatment and handed over to Kano State Government.
“Two suspects, one Aminu Rabiu, ‘m’, 35 years old, of Yar Akwa Naibawa Quarters, Tarauni LGA Kano State and his elder brother, Fatihu Rabiu, ‘m’, 40 years old, of same address were arrested.
“On preliminary investigation, the suspects confessed to have resumed activities at the centre ten months ago after the initial ban by Kano State Government and all confessed to their offences.
“The Commissioner of Police have ordered for discreet investigation. Suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” said Mr Kiyawa, a deputy superintendent of police.
