The intelligence-led crime fighting and control activities of the Kaduna police command has successfully led to the apprehension of 13 suspects for various crimes which includes banditry, robbery, kidnapping, illegal trafficking in firearms, theft, child stealing, illegal trading of currency and other heinous crimes.
The command public relations officer, DSP Muhammed Jalige, disclosed this when he paraded the suspects on behalf of the commissioner of police Yekini Ayoku.
According to him, in the course of investigations of some of the cases, one AK47 rifle, three locally-fabricated revolver rifles, two motorcycles, 15 cartridges, N925,000 cash and three mobile phones were recovered.
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’ 32 years and (2) Muhammad Kabir 18 years 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, arresting one Sani Mamuda Hanazuwa aged 25 years a known notorious kidnapper, who had been on the command’s wanted list.
“During the 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 32 years who is a neighbor to the parents of the missing child was arrested and interrogated.
“During the investigation the following suspects were equally arrested; (1) Hussaina Adamu 45-year-old of Hayin Mal. Bello and (2) Rukayya Abubakar 32 years old of Dirkaniya Quarters 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 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 N820,000 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 said Suleiman (surname yet unknown) is a notorious kidnapper, he said, adding that both Shede, Alh. Maude and Abdullahi Ahmed are in police net assisting in the investigation while Suleiman is 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, Nasarawa Eggon, Nasarawa State with one dismantled AK47 rifle concealed in a sack inside the rim of the spare tyre chamber of his maroon colour Ford vehicle with Reg. No. ABJ 948 AA”.
He said 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 One Million One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira (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.
The suspect Haruna Yusuf further stated that he bought the AK47 rifle for one Magaji of Zamfara State who sent him the total sum of N1,700,000 only, adding that efforts are being intensified to get Magaji arrested.
“Furthermore, three 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 have been fabricated” he said.
