- Agency Report
The Kaduna State Police Command says it has arrested 24 suspected kidnappers and recovered 24 firearms, ammunition and other items during operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing in Kaduna, saying the achievements were recorded through intelligence-led operations, surveillance, rapid response and collaboration with other security stakeholders.
He said the command also recovered two AK-47 magazines, more than 500 rounds of live ammunition, 38 live cartridges and a bag containing charms.
Muhammad said on Sept. 24, operatives of Operation Fushin Kada attached to Kudan Local Government Area arrested a 45-year-old suspected arms trafficker, Abdullahi Ibrahim, during a routine patrol along Maraban Kanja.
He said 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 him, the suspect disclosed that he obtained the weapons from two persons identified as Saidu Magari and Mallam Ado, who are currently at large.
The commissioner said operatives of the Vigilance Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Zaria, also recovered three firearms linked to suspected banditry and cattle rustling activities along the Kidandan-Birnin Gwari axis.
He said the operation followed intelligence received on Sept. 22 concerning the activities of one Lawal Umar of Kidandan Village, Giwa Local Government Area.
Muhammad said the vehicle allegedly used to transport the firearms from Nguru, Yobe State, was intercepted at Dogarawa, Zaria, on Sept. 24.
He said the search of the vehicle led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one Type-06 rifle and one LAR rifle, all with empty magazines.
The CP added that the principal suspect, Umar, was still at large, while efforts were ongoing to arrest him and uncover the network behind the movement of the firearms.
He further disclosed that the command arrested two suspected members of an arms and ammunition trafficking syndicate, Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar, on Sept. 22.
He said detectives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Kaduna, recovered 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type-06 ammunition from the suspects.
Muhammad said investigation was ongoing to establish the source and intended destination of the ammunition and identify other members of the syndicate.
On the Sept. 20 attack in Gimi Ward, Makarfi Local Government Area, the commissioner said police operatives, supported by local vigilantes, engaged the attackers in a gun duel following a distress call.
He said one of the suspects, Usman Alhaji Dahiru, 20, was wounded and arrested, while a locally made rifle, three live cartridges, a locally made pistol, one live round and a bag containing charms were recovered.
The commissioner also said the command recovered a stolen Hyundai Elantra vehicle and arrested two suspects at New Panteka on Sept. 28.
He said the suspects allegedly confessed to purchasing the vehicle from one Abdulkadir Yahaya of Zaria, who was currently at large, knowing that it had been stolen from Kwara State.
Muhammad said the vehicle was in police custody as an exhibit, while efforts were being made to arrest Yahaya and establish the circumstances surrounding the theft and attempted alteration of the vehicle.
The commissioner said the achievements demonstrated the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, disrupting the circulation of illegal firearms and ammunition, and denying criminals freedom to operate in Kaduna.
He said the command would sustain intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, covert surveillance, rapid response, inter-agency cooperation and community partnerships.
Muhammad appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State for their support to the command’s operations.
He also commended police officers, local communities and vigilante groups for providing useful information and operational support.
The CP urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information on criminal activities through established police communication channels, assuring them that such information would be treated confidentially and acted upon professionally.
He assured residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property and would sustain pressure on criminal elements across the state.NAN
