By Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected kidnappers and recovered 24 firearms and more than 500 rounds of live ammunition in sustained operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, PSC, mni, disclosed this Tuesday while briefing journalists on the command’s operational achievements during the month under review.
CP Rabiu said the successes resulted from aggressive, intelligence-driven operations based on proactive policing, strategic surveillance, rapid response, and collaboration with other security agencies and community-based structures.
He said the operations led to the recovery of firearms of various descriptions, AK-47 magazines, more than 500 rounds of ammunition, 38 live cartridges, and a bag containing charms. Efforts to arrest fleeing suspects are ongoing.
Giving details, the CP said that on September 24, at about 12:00pm, operatives of Operation Fushin Kada in Kudan LGA arrested Abdullahi Ibrahim, 45, of Kauyere Gangara, Makarfi LGA, while patrolling along Maraban Kanja.
A search of Ibrahim 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 7.62 mm ammunition, and 38 live cartridges.
The suspect said he had obtained the arms from Saidu Magari and Mallam Ado, who are at large. The command has intensified efforts to apprehend them.
In another operation, after receiving intelligence on September 22 about Lawal Umar of Kidandan Village, Giwa LGA, who was suspected of banditry and cattle rustling along the Kidandan-Birnin Gwari axis, VCRU operatives in Zaria conducted surveillance. They intercepted his vehicle at Dogarawa, Zaria, on September 24.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, one Type-06 rifle, and one LAR rifle, all with empty magazines. The principal suspect is at large.
The command also broke up an arms-trafficking syndicate on September 22 at about 5:00pm in the Giwa and Railway Station area. Detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, State CID, arrested Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar and recovered 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type-06 ammunition.
Regarding a bandit attack, CP Rabiu said that on September 20 at about 1:15am, after receiving a distress call from Gimi Ward, Makarfi LGA, operatives from Makarfi Division, supported by vigilantes, engaged the bandits in a gunfight and forced them to flee. One suspect, Usman Alhaji Dahiru, 20, was wounded and arrested with one locally made rifle, one pistol, four live cartridges, and a bag containing charms.
He added that on September 28 at about 2:00pm, police at New Panteka arrested Hamza Yushau and Abdullahi Abdullahi as they attempted to make a new key for a Hyundai Elantra. An investigation showed that the car had been stolen from Kwara State and purchased from Abdulkadir Yahaya of Zaria, who is at large.
The commissioner said the achievements demonstrate the command’s resolve to dismantle criminal gangs and disrupt the illegal circulation of firearms. He assured the public that its strategy of intelligence-led policing and community partnership would continue.
He commended the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and Governor Uba Sani for their support, as well as officers and local vigilantes for providing credible information.
CP Rabiu assured residents that the command is committed to protecting lives and property. He warned that criminals would have no breathing space and urged the public to continue providing timely information through established channels, with confidentiality assured.
