During operations around the state, the Kaduna State Police Command apprehended 11 alleged kidnappers and seized a cache of weaponry and a substantial sum of money.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the command’s spokeswoman, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mansir Hassan, the arrests were linked to the kidnapping of a district head on August 14, 2024, who was freed two days later.
Hassan stated that police officers, in coordination with local hunters, raided three villages in the Lere Local Government Area, arresting five individuals and recovering a fake single-barrel gun, a vehicle, a motorcycle, and many mobile phones.
In a second operation, six more suspects were apprehended at a car park, resulting in the discovery of four forged AK-47 rifles, two English handguns, two pump-action firearms, and a large sum of money.
A suspected bandit was also captured by police at a hotel in the Tafa district of Kagarko Local Government. The suspect admitted his role in livestock rustling and kidnapping.
Audu Dabigi, the state commissioner of police, praised the operatives for their bravery and urged the public to continue working with the police to rid the state of criminals.
Hassan praised the arrests and recoveries as a huge step forward in the ongoing campaign against kidnapping and banditry, which have plagued Kaduna State in recent years.
The statement read: “In connection with the kidnapping of a district head on 14 August 2024, who was released on 16 August 2024, police operatives in Saminaka, in collaboration with local hunters, raided three villages in Lere Local Government Area, namely Maraban Wasa, Gurzan Hakimi Mariri, and Abugan Kurama.
“Five suspects were arrested: Abdulhamid Abubakar (alias Bala, 30), Danjuma Luka (alias Uba, 25), Ayuba Simon (50), and Idi Saleh (57). Exhibits recovered included a fabricated single-barrel gun, a green Golf car, a Bajaj motorcycle, and eight mobile phones.
“On 2 September 2024, at about 9:00 PM, police operatives acting on credible intelligence laid an ambush at a motor park, leading to the recovery of four fabricated AK-47 rifles hidden within a consignment.
“Six suspects were arrested the following morning at about 5:10 AM: Lawal Murtala, Isa Kabiru, Auwal Surajo, Kamala Lawal, Umar Adamu, and Kabiru Liman. Recovered items included four fabricated AK-47 rifles, two English pistols, two pump-action guns, 24 cartridges, 29 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, assorted charms, a walkie-talkie, an axe, and ₦908,600 in cash.
“On 3 September 2024, at about 10:00 PM, police received credible information about a suspected bandit staying at a hotel in the Tafa area of Kagarko Local Government. A patrol team arrested Yahaya Yusuf, a 41-year-old male from Kabo Village, Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State. He confessed to involvement in cattle rustling and kidnapping in Niger and Kaduna states. A Tecno mobile phone was recovered from him.”
The Commissioner of Police urged the people to continue collaborating with the police and promised that measures to combat criminal activity in the state will be increased.
