By Daniel Karlmax
Kaduna State Police Command has recovered one pump-action rifle, nine fabricated firearms, two stolen vehicles and 332 pieces of suspected counterfeit United States $100 notes in a series of clearance operations across the state.
The operations were carried out as part of the Command’s sustained efforts to deny criminals freedom of movement, make the state safer and ensure that farmers have unhindered access to their farmlands across the state.
In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, said it recorded tremendous successes during the operations, which also resulted in the arrest of four suspects.
The Command said that on August 31, 2026, at about 10:00 a.m., it received information that some armed bandits were sighted disturbing farmers in the Kidandan area of Giwa Local Government Area.
Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kidandan immediately mobilised his men and responded to the threat.
The DPO also promptly mobilised personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) attached to APV Kaya, alongside members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS), to the area.
“Upon sighting the security team, the armed bandits allegedly opened fire. The security personnel responded appropriately, and due to the superior firepower of the security forces, the bandits were forced to flee into the surrounding bush.
“The fleeing suspects abandoned one pump-action rifle with two cartridges and one motorcycle, which were subsequently recovered by the security personnel.”
In the same vein, acting on credible information about the movement of suspected gunrunners around the Maraban Jos axis, police operatives mounted roadblocks along access routes in the area.
The Command said, the heavy security presence compelled the suspects to divert their vehicles, while others escaped into the bus.
“One suspect also abandoned his firearms and fled into the surrounding area. Nine fabricated firearms were recovered during the operation, while efforts are being intensified to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects”.
The Command further disclosed that on September 2, 2026, at about 6:30 a.m., following credible intelligence, a team of police operatives swiftly mobilised to Panteka, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, where they arrested three suspects identified as Hashiru Ibrahim, Mohammed Ibrahim and Umar Hassan.
The suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to sell a black GMK Jeep valued at about N70 million for N4 million.
According to the police, the vehicle was already being prepared for dismantling and sale in parts when the suspects were arrested.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Hashiru Ibrahim allegedly stole the vehicle from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he was employed as a driver by a Chinese company.
The recovered vehicle has been secured, while investigation is ongoing to unravel other members of the alleged syndicate and establish the full circumstances surrounding the theft.
The Command also disclosed that three days ago, following credible information that a white Toyota Hilux, reportedly stolen from Agadez, Niger Republic, had been brought into Kaduna, operatives of the Surveillance Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), swiftly swung into action and intercepted the vehicle.
Upon conducting verification, the operatives confirmed that the chassis number of the vehicle corresponded with that of the vehicle reported stolen from Niger Republic.
One Abubakar Abdullahi, who was found in possession of the vehicle, was arrested, while the recovered vehicle was taken into police custody for further investigation.
The Command further said that, days back, it received credible intelligence that one Kabir Yusuf, of No. 17 India Road, Barnawa, Kaduna, was in possession of 20 pieces of suspected counterfeit US $100 notes.
Acting on the intelligence, police operatives swiftly tracked and arrested the suspect.
A search conducted on him led to the recovery of 332 pieces of suspected counterfeit US dollar notes and six pieces of counterfeit N1,000 Nigerian currency notes.
During preliminary investigation, the suspect allegedly confessed to having obtained the counterfeit currencies from one Sahibu Ruhan of Kano State, who is currently at large.
The Command said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the alleged accomplice and uncover the wider network behind the circulation of the counterfeit currencies, while investigation continues.
The Commissioner of Police appreciated members of the public for their timely information and cooperation, noting that the successes recorded were made possible largely through the support and actionable intelligence provided by citizens.
He therefore urged members of the public to continue to promptly report suspicious activities to the police and other security agencies.
Editing By Godwin Duru
