The Kaduna State Police Command has neutralised notorious kidnappers, arrested 19 suspects linked to kidnapping, gunrunning and counterfeiting, and recovered stolen property and exhibits worth over ₦78 million during coordinated operations across the state in the last two weeks.
The operations also led to the recovery of 190 stolen solar inverters valued at ₦69 million, 10 lithium batteries worth about ₦9 million, 10 firearms of different calibres, 170 counterfeit United States dollar notes, 83 packs of hard drugs, 32 stolen mobile phones, two plasma television sets, a stolen Toyota Sienna vehicle, and 410 rustled cattle.
Addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Kaduna on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the achievements reflected the command’s unwavering determination to dismantle criminal syndicates threatening the peace and security of the state.
“Within the two weeks under review, the Kaduna State Police Command neutralised notorious kidnappers, arrested 16 suspected kidnappers, six suspects found in possession of 170 counterfeit US dollar notes, three suspected gunrunners, recovered 10 firearms of different calibres, 190 solar inverters worth ₦69 million, one stolen vehicle, 83 packs of hard drugs, 32 stolen phones, two plasma television sets and 410 rustled cattle during various operations,” the commissioner said.
Muhammad disclosed that one of the major breakthroughs followed the arrest of 20-year-old Aisha Barau in Ramin Kura Village, where she was allegedly attempting to exchange counterfeit US dollar notes for naira.
According to him, the suspect confessed that the fake currency had been supplied by Abdullahi Muhammad and Danbala Jibrin, leading investigators to other members of the counterfeit currency syndicate.
“Further investigation led to the arrest of several other members of the syndicate. They will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.
The commissioner also revealed that operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, tracked down and arrested three suspected gunrunners in Jos, Plateau State.
The suspects, identified as Luka Samuel, John Paul and Musa Elisha, were apprehended with two locally fabricated pistols.
Muhammad said the trio confessed to supplying arms and ammunition to bandits operating in different parts of Northern Nigeria.
In another operation, police operatives, working alongside members of the Yan Sa Kai vigilante group after months of surveillance, arrested Abdullahi Mohammed, popularly known as “Aala,” at Kargi Village in Ikara Local Government Area of Kano State.
According to the police commissioner, the suspect confessed to masterminding several kidnapping operations in Kuzuntu Village and other parts of Kano State.
“He also admitted participating in the killing of two Yan Sa Kai members during an attack carried out last year,” Muhammad said, adding that an AK-47 rifle and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect.
The command also recorded another breakthrough against vehicle theft with the recovery of a Toyota Sienna stolen from the premises of a Juma’at Mosque in Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna, alongside several other recoveries made during the operations.
Muhammad appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, assuring them that the command would sustain its ongoing operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements and safeguarding lives and property across Kaduna State.
“We remain committed to flushing out criminals and safeguarding lives and property across Kaduna State. The support and cooperation of residents remain critical to achieving lasting peace and security,” the commissioner said.
