From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has intensified its efforts to combat criminal activities across the state, leading to the arrest of ten suspected armed robbers and four individuals involved in illegal firearms manufacturing.
In these coordinated operations, the police recovered eight locally made guns, 16 cartridges, three stolen vehicles, and one motorcycle. The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, reported these developments in a statement issued on Sunday, describing the arrests as the result of credible intelligence and swift tactical responses from various police units.
Among the notable arrests was Nura Auwal, who allegedly attempted to murder a 40-year-old commercial motorcycle operator, Ismail Bello, on June 30, 2025. Auwal, posing as a passenger traveling from Sabon Tasha to Unguwan Gwari, reportedly stabbed Bello in the head and stomach before fleeing with the motorcycle. The stolen bike was recovered due to prompt action by the Kawo Division’s surveillance team.
On June 19, police apprehended two suspects—Sanusi Bala from Zamfara and Nura Bala from Zaria—along Kano Road for attempting to rob a tricycle operator. The duo confessed to being part of a syndicate specializing in tricycle theft and sales. Further investigations resulted in the recovery of three stolen vehicles:
– A dark blue Golf III Wagon (Reg. No. ABC-152-AL)
– A green Golf III Wagon (Reg. No. ABJ-900-RE)
– An unregistered dark blue Golf III Wagon
Efforts are ongoing to track down other syndicate members, including their alleged buyer, Jamilu Zurmi of Zamfara.
In another significant development on July 4, five suspected armed robbers—Ahmed Umar, Isah Musa, Zailani Sa’adu, Abdulrahman Mukhtar, and Ibrahim Bala—were arrested following a violent robbery at a residence in Ungwan Sanusi. The gang allegedly stole a Toyota Corolla and other valuables, with investigations revealing that the vehicle was intended for Maradi, Niger Republic, to be delivered to a suspected stolen vehicle dealer, Alhaji Garba Yaro, who is currently on the run.
On July 7, anti-kidnapping operatives apprehended three suspects—Rabilu Lawal, Sirajo Shuaibu, and Shehu Sarki—in Nasarawan Doya Village, Makarfi LGA. The trio was found with two locally made guns and two live cartridges and is linked to the kidnapping of a resident’s wife.
Expanding their operations, Makarfi Division operatives raided a suspected illegal arms factory in Giroji, Makarfi LGA, on July 11, arresting four individuals—Hassan Ibrahim, Murtala Yakubu, Shuaibu Abubakar, and Ismail Shuaibu. The raid yielded:
– Three locally fabricated rifles
– Three incomplete rifle frames
– Fourteen cartridges
– Five rounds of live T.06 ammunition
– Metal fabrication tools, including a bench vice, filing tools, and welding machines
All suspects are currently in custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations.
Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the officers for their dedication and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks across the state. He urged residents of Kaduna to remain vigilant and continue supporting law enforcement agencies with timely, actionable information.
