The intelligence-led crime fighting and control activities of the Kaduna State Police Command, have successfully led to the arrest of 13 suspects for various crimes, which include banditry, robbery, kidnapping, illegal trafficking in firearms, theft, child stealing, illegal trading of currency and other heinous crimes.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Muhammed Jalige, disclosed this while parading the suspects on behalf of the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Yekini Ayoku, at the Command’s headquarters in Kaduna on Tuesday.
According to him, in the course of investigations into some of the cases, a number of recoveries which include one AK47 Rifle, three locally-made fabricated revolver rifles, two motorcycles, 15 cartridges, cash of N925,000.00, and three mobile phones were made.
He said, “on the 27th January, 2023 at about 1100 hours following a credible intelligence on the activities of unlawful trading of the Re-designed Naira Notes, DPO Sabon Gari Zaria led his patrol team to Dadi motor park Sabon Gari Zaria where they raided and arrested two (2) currency hawkers, namely; (1) Dalhatu Yusuf ‘m’ 32yrs and (2) Muhammad Kabir 18yrs all of Samaru Zaria and recovered different denominations of both old and the redesigned Naira Notes from them.
“Also in a related development, one Thomas Tokan ‘m’ of Hanwa area who is a security personnel attached to Stanbic IBTC Bank PZ branch was also arrested at the bank premises selling the re-designed Naira notes. Investigation is still ongoing.
“On the 25th January, 2023 at about 1700 hours, the gallant Operatives of the Command acted on a credible intelligence, arrested one Sani Mamuda Hanazuwa aged 25yrs a known notorious kidnapper, who have been on the Command’s wanted list.
“During the course of investigation the suspect confessed to have participated in more than ten kidnapping operations in Kaduna State alongside his gang members in which they have collected several ransom payments and killed at least two of their victims. The suspect is currently assisting the Police in investigation with a view to arresting his accomplices currently at large.
“On the 23rd January, 2023 at about 0400hours the Command received a report that one Hajara Ashiru ‘f’ 6yrs old was missing and the Command immediately mobilised Operatives, swung into action and one Safiya Iliyasu 32yrs who is a neighbor to the parents of the missing child was arrested and interrogated.
“During the course of investigation the following suspects were equally arrested; (1) Hussaina Adamu 45yrs old of Hayin Mal. Bello and (2) Rukayya Abubakar 32yrs old of Dirkaniya Quaters Kaduna in connection to the disappearance of the child. The victim was rescued unhurt after having been sold for the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) in which a part payment of Five Thousand Naira (N5,000) was made to the prime suspect Safiya Iliyasu. The victim has since been handed over to her parents. Case under investigation and will be charged to court of competent jurisdiction on completion.
“On the 17th January, 2023 at about 1340hours the operatives of the Command while on a Clearance Patrol/Stop and Search operation along Jos road by Kangiwa village, Soba LGA of Kaduna State intercepted one Shede Alh. Maude of Liman Ibada village Soba LGA of Kaduna who was in possession of Eight Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira (N820,000.00) to be delivered to a certain Abdullahi Ahmed a.k.a Masara at Kawo flyover bridge. The money was for the purchase of an AK-47 rifle for one Suleiman (surname yet unknown).”
The PPRO noted that the said Suleiman (surname yet unknown) was a notorious kidnapper, adding that both Shede Alh. Maude and Abdullahi Ahmed were in Police net assisting in the investigation while Suleiman was on the run with operatives are on his trail.
“On 22nd November, 2022 at about 1800hours at Kasuwan Magani, Kajuru L.G.A of Kaduna State, while acting on a credible intelligence Operatives of the Command busted a syndicate of four (4) arm traffickers. The Operatives initially arrested one Haruna Yusuf a.k.a Hankalin Safe of Jarmai village, Nassarawa Eggon, Nassarawa State with one dismantled AK47 rifle concealed in a sack inside the rim of the spare tyre chamber of his maroon coloured Ford vehicle with Reg. No. ABJ 948 AA,” he stated.
He further revealed that during investigation, the suspect, Haruna Yusuf, led the Police to the arrest of one Umar Kasimu whom he bought the AK47 rifle from at the sum of N1,150,000.00 only while Umar Kasimu also led to the arrest of one Peter Abimiku who confessed to have earlier bought the AK47 rifle from one Solomon John now at large.
He said Yusuf claimed that he bought the AK47 rifle for one Magaji of Zamfara State who sent him the total sum of N1,700,000.00 only, adding that efforts were being intensified to get Magaji arrested.
“Furthermore, 3 fabricated revolver rifles with 15 cartridges were recovered in the possession of Umar Kasimu and Peter Abimiku. Investigation is still in progress with a view to arresting their fleeing accomplices and to also unravel the location of the factory where these rifles are been fabricated,” he added.
