From Femi Mustapha , in Kaduna
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a notorious bandit who had been evading capture for the past 11 years, terrorizing both Kaduna and Katsina States.
This information was shared in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Hassan Mansir, and made available to the media in Kaduna, Friday.
According to the statement, a team of detectives, led by CSP Sani Zuntu, the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, successfully tracked down and apprehended the notorious gang leader, known as Mati Bagio.
The 34-year-old suspect, who hails from Unguwan Galadima in the Shika district of Giwa Local Government Area, has been a prominent figure in criminal activities across Kaduna and Katsina states, particularly in the local government areas of Giwa, Hunkuyi, Faskari, Dandume, and Funtua.
Mati Bagio was arrested at his residence, where police recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including:
– One AK-47 rifle
– One fabricated AK-47 rifle
– One pump-action gun
– Two English pistols
– Two AK-47 magazines
– Two LAR rifle magazines
– Four fabricated AK-47 butts
– Four AK-47 ammunition rounds
– Ten pump-action shells
– Eighty-seven pistol rounds
– One machete
– Two torches
– One unjamming rod
The statement said that this arrest marks a significant milestone in the Command’s efforts to eliminate illegal arms and enhance the safety and security of residents in the state.
The suspect is currently in police custody and is undergoing further investigations. He will be charged in court afterward. Authorities are also working to apprehend the remaining members of his gang, who are still at large.
In an unrelated incident, on July 17, 2025, a distress call was received by the Kaduna Command Control Room regarding the armed theft of a black Toyota Prado Jeep in Abuja. The vehicle was subsequently tracked and located near Shema Filling Station in Unguwan Gwari, Kaduna.
A patrol and surveillance team from Kawo Division was dispatched immediately to the area. The location was promptly cordoned off, and while the stolen vehicle was successfully recovered, the suspect fled upon seeing the police.
The recovered vehicle has been towed to the station for further investigation and will be handed over to the FCT police command, where the initial report was filed.
Additionally, on July 15, 2025, at approximately 2:00 PM, a reliable source alerted the police regarding suspected motorcycle thieves.
A team of operatives, led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acted promptly and arrested three individuals: Yusuf Yakubu from Amana Village, Abubakar Jibrin, and Mustapha Aliyu at Anguwan Rimi, as well as Yunusa Yusuf from Kujama.
These suspects specialize in attacking cyclists, often harming or killing them to steal their motorcycles. During the operation, two stolen motorcycles were successfully recovered. All suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue to identify potential accomplices and recover additional stolen property.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, PSC, MNi, commended the officers for their swift and efficient response. He also urged the public to continue cooperating with the police by providing credible information to aid in combating crime within the state.
