By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command says intelligence-driven operations conducted across the state in the past month have led to the arrest of suspected bandit kingpins, a gun runner and members of criminal gangs allegedly involved in armed robbery, rape and attacks on public infrastructure.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Kaduna, saying the arrests and recoveries reflected intensified intelligence gathering and collaboration with communities and other security agencies.
Among the major breakthroughs was the arrest of a 39-year-old suspected gun runner, identified as Kenneth from Delta State, at Yan’Karfe Motor Park in Zaria on August 25.
According to the Commissioner, police operatives from the Sabon Gari Division responded to a distress call at about 9pm after the suspect was observed struggling with a sack of potatoes.
A search of the sack, he said, uncovered two AK-49 rifles, 228 rounds of RPG ammunition, 275 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition, five AK-47 magazines and quantities of suspected hard drugs.
Muhammad said the suspect remained in custody while investigation into the source and intended destination of the weapons continued.
Three Suspected Bandits Arrested
The Command also reported the arrest of three suspected bandits along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.
The suspects — Ibrahim Muhammad, 25, also known as Alti, from Adamawa State; Usman Tukur, 27, alias Mallam, from Zamfara State; and Hassan Alhaji Salisu, 23, alias Tagwaye, from Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State — were arrested on August 24 by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit.
The Commissioner said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects allegedly operated in Millennium City and other suburbs of Kaduna.
He added that detectives were working to establish their wider network and possible links to other criminal activities in the state.
Police Intercept AK-47 Ammunition
In a separate operation on August 25, police conducting stop-and-search operations along Kachia Road intercepted a motorcyclist carrying a sack containing 134 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition.
The rider reportedly told investigators that he was transporting the ammunition on the instruction of a suspected bandit identified as “Yellow Mai-million.”
The Command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the alleged mastermind and trace the source of the ammunition.
Similarly, police operatives on August 15 intercepted suspected cannabis traffickers along the Zaria-Kano Expressway.
The suspects reportedly abandoned an unregistered Volkswagen Golf after sighting the police, leaving behind 11 sacks of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis. The Command said a manhunt had commenced for the fleeing occupants.
Police Crack Down on Robbery, Rape Syndicate
The Command also announced the arrest of three suspects allegedly linked to a criminal syndicate operating in communities around Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The arrests followed distress calls from Rafin Tukurwa Village and were carried out on August 15 by police operatives working with the ABU Security Unit and the Civilian Joint Task Force.
The suspects were identified as Jamilu Yau, 20, alias Jagwa; Abdullahi Hamisu, 25, alias Maikudi Santsi, both from Tudun Natsira; and Sani Abubakar, 20, alias Gaye, of Rafin Tukurwa.
Police alleged that Jagwa and Gaye confessed to participating in attacks on residents of Gidan Kira, Magata and Gidan Maranta villages, where victims were allegedly robbed at knifepoint and sexually assaulted.
According to the Command, the suspects claimed that a charm known as a “grave stick” was supplied to them by Maikudi Santsi. Police said additional victims and community leaders had also made allegations linking Santsi to similar incidents.
The suspects remain in custody as investigations continue.
Kajuru Arrests, Vehicle Recovery
In Kajuru Local Government Area, police arrested 27-year-old Barnabas Amale of Iburu Village on August 19 following an alleged attempt to steal a mobile phone from a farmer in Idon-Gida.
The suspect was accused of threatening the farmer with a pistol. Further investigation allegedly linked him to Victor Patrick, 37, who was said to have obtained the firearm from a suspect identified as Oyou Movel, currently at large.
Meanwhile, the Command recovered a white Toyota Hilux belonging to the Kaduna State Water Board, with registration number DKA 174 LY.
The vehicle was reportedly stolen from Ungwan Rimi on August 18 and later tracked to Kano State, where the alleged thieves abandoned it before escaping.
In another development, police arrested Abdullahi Abubakar and Shehu Sani, both of Makera, Kajuru LGA, over an alleged armed robbery and vandalism at the Infectious Disease Centre, Mando, on August 26.
The suspects were accused of scaling the facility’s fence, tying up five security guards and vandalising a transformer.
Police Intensify Operations
CP Muhammad said the Metropolitan Area Command and the Task Force had intensified patrols, raids and stop-and-search operations across strategic locations to disrupt the movement and logistics of bandits, kidnappers and armed robbers.
He condemned attacks on public infrastructure, describing such acts as threats to public safety and essential services.
The Commissioner urged residents to protect government facilities in their communities and promptly share information with security agencies.
He also appealed to the judiciary to permit the police to parade suspects arrested with exhibits, arguing that such public presentations could strengthen public awareness and serve as a deterrent to criminal activities.
Muhammad expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for their support, while commending residents for providing information that assisted security operations.
He assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon the completion of investigations.
