OPERATIVES of the Kaduna State Police Command have apprehended 11 notorious suspected kidnappers and recovered several arms and ammunition in various operations across the state.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, the arrest of the suspects was linked to the abduction of a District Head on August 14 who was released two days later.
He explained that police operatives in collaboration with local hunters raided three villages in Lere Local Government Area, during which they arrested five persons suspected to be kidnappers and also recovered a local made single-barrel gun, a vehicle, one motorcycle and several mobile phones.
“In connection with the kidnapping incident of a district head on August 14, 2024. Where The victim was released on August 16, 2024,” Hassan said.
“On September 2, 2024, at about 0500hrs Police Operatives of Saminaka in collaboration with a team of local Hunters Group, Acting on credible intelligence, carried out raids in three different villages in Lere Local Government Area, namely Maraban Wasa, Gurzan Hakimi Mariri, and Abugan Kurama.
“Five suspects were arrested namely, one Abdulhamid Abubakar a.k.a. Bala, 30 years old, one Danjuma Luka a.k.a. Uba, 25 years old, one Ayuba Simon, 50 years old and one Idi Saleh, 57 years old.”
Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one fabricated single-barrel gun, one green Golf, one Bajaj motorcycle and eight mobile phones.
In another operation, police operatives arrested six other suspects at a motor park leading to the recovery of four fabricated AK-47 rifles, two pistols, two pump-action guns and a significant amount of money.
Police operatives also arrested a suspected bandit at a hotel in the Tafa area of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State following credible intelligence information about his nefarious activities.
“On the 2nd of September, 2024, at about 2100hrs, Acting on credible information about a suspicious movement of badits, Police operatives lay an ambush in a motor park. A search was conducted, leading to the recovery of four fabricated AK-47 rifles hidden within a consignment.
“At about 0510hrs the following morning, six suspects were arrested in connection to the incident. The suspects are: Lawal Murtala (M), Isa Kabiru (M), Auwal Surajo (M), Kamala Lawal (M), Umar Adamu (M) and Kabiru Liman (M).
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include: Four fabricated AK-47 rifles, Two English pistols, Two pump-action guns, 24 cartridges, 29 rounds of live ammunition of various calibers, A large quantity of assorted charms, One walkie-talkie, One axe, A cash sum of Nine Hundred and Eight Thousand, Six Hundred Naira (₦908,600.00).
“Additionally, On the 3rd of September, 2024, at about 2200hrs Acting on credible information from a reliable source, police operatives were informed that a suspected bandit was lodging in a hotel within the Tafa area of Kagarko Local Government, Kaduna State.
“In response, a patrol team was swiftly mobilized and dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, the team arrested one Yahaya Yusuf, a 41-year-old male from Kabo Village, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State. During the investigation, The suspect confessed to being involved in cattle rustling and kidnapping in Niger and Kaduna. One Tecno cellphone was recovered from the suspect.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, urges the public to continue cooperating with the police and assures that the command will intensify its efforts to clamp down on criminals and their activities within the state,” the statement added.