The Kaduna State Police Command has made significant strides in its fight against crime, arresting 24 suspected kidnappers and recovering several firearms, AK-47 magazines, and over 500 rounds of live ammunition. The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Muhammad Rabiu, disclosed this information while briefing newsmen in Kaduna on Wednesday. The operations targeted kidnapping, banditry, arms trafficking, cattle rustling, vehicle theft, and other criminal activities.
On September 24, 2026, police operatives attached to Operation Fushin Kada intercepted Abdullahi Ibrahim, 45, at Maraban Kanja. The suspect was found with two locally made AK-47 rifles, nine locally made long guns, 10 locally made pistols, two AK-47 magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and 38 live cartridges. During interrogation, Ibrahim revealed that he obtained the weapons and ammunition from Saidu Magari and Mallam Ado, who are still at large.
The police also recovered three firearms allegedly linked to suspected banditry and cattle rustling along the Kidandan-Birnin Gwari axis. An AK-47 rifle, a Type-06 rifle, and an LAR rifle were recovered from a vehicle intercepted at Dogarawa, Zaria. The principal suspect is currently at large, while investigations are ongoing to establish the wider network allegedly involved in the movement of the firearms.
Two suspected members of an arms and ammunition trafficking syndicate, Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar, were arrested by the police following surveillance around the Giwa and Railway Station axes. The suspects were found in possession of 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type-06 ammunition. Investigations are ongoing to determine the source and intended destination of the ammunition and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
The police responded to a reported bandit attack in Gimi Ward, Makarfi Local Government Area, engaging the attackers in a gun duel after receiving a distress call on September 20. One suspect, Usman Alhaji Dahiru, 20, was wounded and arrested, while police recovered a locally made rifle, a locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one live round of ammunition, and a bag containing charms.
The command also recovered a stolen Hyundai Elantra at New Panteka and arrested Hamza Yushau and Abdullahi Abdullahi, who were allegedly attempting to make a new key for the vehicle. The suspects admitted purchasing the vehicle from Abdulkadir Yahaya of Zaria, who is currently at large, despite allegedly knowing that it had been stolen from Kwara State.
CP Rabiu assured residents that the command would continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements across Kaduna State while strengthening mechanisms for intelligence gathering and timely response to emerging security threats. He identified intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, rapid response, covert surveillance, inter-agency cooperation, and community partnership as the key pillars of the command’s operational strategy.
Key points
- The Kaduna State Police Command arrested 24 suspected kidnappers and recovered several firearms and over 500 rounds of live ammunition in separate operations across the state.
- The police are working to apprehend other suspects still at large and establish the wider network allegedly involved in the movement of the firearms.
- The command is committed to protecting lives and property, and urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information about criminal activities.
