The Kaduna State Police Command says it has neutralised suspected kidnappers, arrested 19 suspects linked to kidnapping, gunrunning and counterfeit currency, and recovered stolen property worth millions of naira during a series of operations conducted over the past two weeks.
Addressing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Kaduna on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the operations reflected the command’s intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the state.
According to him, 16 suspected kidnappers, three suspected gunrunners and six persons allegedly involved in circulating counterfeit foreign currency were apprehended during separate operations.
“Within the last two weeks, the command neutralised notorious kidnappers, arrested 16 suspected kidnappers, six suspects found in possession of 170 counterfeit US dollar notes and three suspected gunrunners,” Muhammad said.
The police commissioner added that officers recovered 10 firearms of various calibres, 190 stolen solar inverters valued at about ₦69 million, 10 lithium batteries worth approximately ₦9 million, a stolen Toyota Sienna vehicle, 83 packs of hard drugs, 32 stolen mobile phones, two plasma television sets and more than 400 rustled cattle.
Muhammad said one of the major breakthroughs followed the arrest of a 20-year-old woman, Aisha Barau, in Ramin Kura Village while she was allegedly attempting to exchange counterfeit United States dollar notes for naira.
“The suspect confessed that the fake currency was supplied by two men, leading to the arrest of other members of the syndicate. They will all be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.
The commissioner also disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, arrested three suspected gunrunners in Jos, Plateau State.
The suspects, identified as Luka Samuel, John Paul and Musa Elisha, were allegedly found with two locally fabricated pistols.
“The suspects admitted supplying arms and ammunition to bandits operating in different parts of Northern Nigeria,” Muhammad stated.
In another operation, the police, 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 coordinating several kidnapping operations in Kuzuntu Village and other communities.
“He also admitted participating in the killing of two Yan Sa Kai members during an attack carried out last year. An AK-47 rifle and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from him,” Muhammad said.
The commissioner further announced the recovery of a Toyota Sienna reportedly stolen from the premises of a Juma’at Mosque in Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna, alongside other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Muhammad appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to sustain the fight against crime.
“We remain committed to flushing out criminal elements and ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kaduna State. Public cooperation remains vital to achieving this objective,” he added.
