11 kidnapping suspects with firearms detained in Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has apprehended 11 individuals suspected of kidnapping and confiscated a range of weapons and cash in recent operations throughout the state.
In a press release on Thursday, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mansir Hassan detailed the arrests, linking them to the kidnapping of a district head on August 14, 2024, who was freed two days later.
Hassan reported that police, in collaboration with local hunters, conducted raids across three villages in the Lere Local Government Area. These operations resulted in the capture of five suspects and the recovery of a makeshift single-barrel gun, a vehicle, a motorcycle, and several mobile phones.
In a separate action, six more suspects were detained at a motor park, where police seized four improvised AK-47 rifles, two English pistols, two pump-action shotguns, and a substantial amount of cash.
Additionally, a suspected bandit was arrested at a hotel in the Tafa area of Kagarko Local Government. The suspect admitted to participating in cattle rustling and kidnapping activities.
State Commissioner of Police, Audu Dabigi, praised the officers for their efforts and urged the community to support ongoing police efforts to eliminate criminal activity.
Hassan highlighted the significance of these arrests and seizures in the broader battle against kidnapping and banditry that has recently troubled Kaduna State.
The statement elaborated: “Following the kidnapping of a district head on August 14, 2024, who was released on August 16, police in Saminaka, working with local hunters, raided Maraban Wasa, Gurzan Hakimi Mariri, and Abugan Kurama villages in Lere Local Government Area. Five individuals were arrested, including Abdulhamid Abubakar (alias Bala, 30), Danjuma Luka (alias Uba, 25), Ayuba Simon (50), and Idi Saleh (57). Items recovered included a fabricated single-barrel gun, a green Golf car, a Bajaj motorcycle, and eight mobile phones.
“On September 2, 2024, at approximately 9:00 PM, police set up an ambush at a motor park based on credible information, leading to the discovery of four fabricated AK-47 rifles concealed within a shipment. The following morning, six suspects—Lawal Murtala, Isa Kabiru, Auwal Surajo, Kamala Lawal, Umar Adamu, and Kabiru Liman—were arrested. The seizure included four fabricated AK-47 rifles, two English pistols, two pump-action guns, 24 cartridges, 29 rounds of live ammunition of different calibers, assorted charms, a walkie-talkie, an axe, and ₦908,600 in cash.
“On September 3, 2024, at about 10:00 PM, police acted on reliable information and arrested Yahaya Yusuf, a 41-year-old from Kabo Village, Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State, at a hotel in the Tafa area of Kagarko Local Government. Yusuf confessed to involvement in cattle rustling and kidnapping in Niger and Kaduna states. A Tecno mobile phone was also recovered.”
The Commissioner of Police emphasized the need for continued public cooperation and assured that the fight against criminal activities in the state would be strengthened.
