By Daniel Karlmax
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected kidnappers and recovered 21 firearms, AK-47 magazines and more than 500 rounds of live ammunition in a series of operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Muhammad Rabiu, disclosed this during a press briefing on the operational achievements of the command in Kaduna.
Rabiu said the command had sustained intelligence-driven operations against criminal elements through proactive policing, intelligence gathering, strategic surveillance, rapid response and collaboration with other security agencies and community-based security structures.
According to him, the operations also led to the recovery of 38 live cartridges and a bag containing charms, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects linked to the various cases.
The commissioner said operatives of Operation Fushin Kada attached to Kudan Local Government Area, while on routine patrol along the Maraban Kanja area on September 24, arrested a 45-year-old man, Abdullahi Ibrahim, of Kauyere Gangara, Makarfi Local Government Area.
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 live ammunition and 38 live cartridges.
Rabiu said the suspect, during interrogation, disclosed that he obtained the arms and ammunition from two individuals identified as Saidu Magari and Mallam Ado, who are currently at large.
He added that the command had intensified efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects, while investigation into the case continued.
The commissioner also disclosed that police operatives recovered three firearms allegedly linked to suspected banditry and cattle rustling activities along the Kidandan.
According to him, operatives of the Vigilance and Criminal Response Unit (VCRU), Zaria, commenced covert surveillance and, on September 24, intercepted a vehicle suspected to have been used to transport arms from Nguru, Yobe State, at Dogarawa, Zaria.
A search of the vehicle, he said, resulted in the recovery of one AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine, one Type-06 rifle with an empty magazine and one LAR rifle with an empty magazine.
Rabiu said the principal suspect, Lawal Umar, was still at large, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest him and establish the network behind the movement of the firearms.
The commissioner further disclosed that two suspects, Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar, were arrested over alleged involvement in an arms and ammunition trafficking syndicate.
He said the suspects were arrested on September 22 following intelligence on the activities of a suspected syndicate operating around Giwa Local Government Area and the Railway Station axis of Kaduna State.
The operation, he said, led to the recovery of 270 live rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 live rounds of Type-06 ammunition.
Rabiu said investigation was ongoing to determine the source and intended destination of the ammunition and identify other members of the suspected syndicate.
The police commissioner also said one suspected bandit, identified as 20-year-old Usman Alhaji Dahiru, was wounded and arrested following an attack in Gimi Ward, Makarfi LGA.
He said the incident occurred at about 1:15 a.m. on September 20, following a distress call received by the command.
According to him, operatives of the Makarfi Division, supported by local vigilantes, swiftly mobilised to the area and engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing the assailants to flee into the surrounding bush.
He said the arrested suspect was found with one locally made rifle, three live cartridges, one locally made pistol, one live round of ammunition and a bag containing charms.
He said police received information on September 28 that two individuals were allegedly attempting to make a new key for a Hyundai Elantra at the location.
Following the information, the Divisional Police Officer of Kurmin Mashi Division mobilised operatives to the area, where two suspects, Hamza Yushau and Abdullahi Abdullahi, were arrested.
The commissioner said preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects purchased the vehicle from one Abdulkadir Yahaya of Zaria, who is currently at large, despite allegedly knowing that the vehicle had been stolen from Kwara State.
He said the vehicle had been recovered and was in police custody as an exhibit, while efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and establish the circumstances surrounding the theft, purchase and attempted alteration of the vehicle.
The commissioner said the operational achievements demonstrated the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, disrupting the circulation of illegal firearms and ammunition and restricting the activities of bandits and other criminal elements in the state.
He said the command’s strategy remained focused on intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, rapid response, covert surveillance, inter-agency cooperation and community partnership.
Rabiu expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for his guidance and support for the command’s operations.
He also thanked the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for what he described as continuous logistical support to the command.
The commissioner commended officers and men of the command, as well as members of local communities and vigilante groups, for providing information and support to the police.
He assured residents that the command would continue to discharge its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property across the state.
Rabiu also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information on the activities of criminal elements through established police communication channels, assuring that such information would be treated confidentially and acted upon professionally.
Editing By Godwin Duru
