Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected kidnappers and recovered 24 firearms, over 500 rounds of live ammunition, 38 cartridges, two AK-47 magazines and a bag containing charms in operations conducted across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, disclosed this today during a press briefing in Kaduna, saying the achievements were recorded through intelligence-led policing, surveillance, rapid response and collaboration with other security agencies and community-based security structures.
He said that on September 24, operatives of Operation Fushin Kada attached to Kudan Local Government Area arrested a 45-year-old man, Abdullahi Ibrahim, of Kauyere Gangara in Makarfi LGA, during a routine patrol around Maraban Kanja.
A search of the suspect led to the recovery of two locally made AK-47 rifles, nine locally made long guns, 10 locally made pistols, two AK-47 magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 38 live cartridges.
According to the CP, the suspect told investigators that he obtained the weapons and ammunition from two persons identified as Saidu Magari and Mallam Ado, who are currently at large. He said efforts had been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and establish the full network involved in the illegal arms trade.
Rabiu further disclosed that police operatives attached to the Vehicle Crime and Recovery Unit, Zaria, recovered three rifles linked to suspected banditry and cattle rustling activities.
He said the operation followed intelligence received on September 22 concerning one Lawal Umar of Kidandan Village, Giwa LGA, who was suspected of operating along the Kidandan-Birnin Gwari axis.
He said the vehicle allegedly used to transport the firearms from Nguru in Yobe State was intercepted at Dogarawa, Zaria, on September 24, leading to the recovery of an AK-47 rifle, a Type-06 rifle and an LAR rifle, all with empty magazines. The principal suspect, Lawal Umar, is still at large.
The commissioner also said the command arrested two members of a suspected arms and ammunition trafficking syndicate and recovered 300 rounds of ammunition.
The suspects, identified as Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar, were arrested following surveillance by detectives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State CID, Kaduna, after intelligence indicated illegal arms trafficking around Giwa and the railway station axis.
He said the operation led to the recovery of 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type-06 ammunition, adding that investigation was ongoing to determine the source and intended destination of the ammunition and identify other members of the syndicate.
The CP also disclosed that police operatives, supported by local vigilantes, repelled a bandit attack in Gimi Ward, Makarfi LGA, on September 20. One of the attackers, identified as 20-year-old Usman Alhaji Dahiru, was wounded and arrested, while a locally made rifle, a pistol, four rounds of ammunition and a bag containing charms were recovered.
In another operation on September 28, police arrested two suspects, Hamza Yushau and Abdullahi Abdullahi, at New Panteka while allegedly attempting to make a new key for a stolen Hyundai Elantra traced to Kwara State.
Rabiu said the command remained committed to dismantling criminal networks, disrupting the circulation of illegal arms and ammunition and denying criminals freedom to operate in Kaduna State.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, Governor Uba Sani, officers and men of the command, vigilante groups and members of the public for their support, while urging residents to continue providing credible and timely information on criminal activities.
