Police Arrest 12 Suspected Bandits, Neutralise 4 In Kaduna

Kaduna State Police Command has neutralised four suspected bandits and arrested 12 others during a gun duel in Ikara local government area.

The command said it also rescued two kidnapped victims, recovered one AK-47 and two locally made guns.

In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Hassan Mansir, on Wednesday, he said the operatives recovered three sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

The statement explained that on 16th September, 2026, acting on credible intelligence, the divisional police officer (DPO), Ikara, led a team of e operatives, in collaboration with members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS), to the residence of one Haruna Yakubu of Yoromowa, Auchanawa Village.

According to him, upon arrival, the operatives encountered armed resistance, resulting in a gunfight. “During the operation, two kidnapped victims were rescued. Four suspected kidnappers were neutralised, namely: Kabiru Haruna ‘m’, Suleman Abdulkarim ‘m’, Yusuf Haruna, a.k.a. Burgagau ‘m’, all of Yoromowa, Auchanawa Village and one other.

“The operation also led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle and the arrest of twelve suspects, namely: Yahaya Hassan, 60; Usman Hassan, 40; Abdul Muminu Hassan, 35; Jafaru Adamu, 25; Buhari Usman, 25; Usman Bashir, 25; Samaila Yahaya, 25; Awwalu Adamu, 20; Maimuna Haruna, 57; Suhaila Kabiru, 30; Maimuna Yusuf, 30, all of Yoromowa, Auchanawa Village, and Hassana Usman, 50, of Yakamalam, Ikara Town”

The Command said all arrested suspects were currently assisting the police in establishing their individual roles and the wider network behind the criminal activities.

In the same vein, on 15 September 2026, the DPO Makarfi led a team of Police operatives, in collaboration with the KADVS in Makarfi, on a clearance operation around the Arabu Forest Reserve in Makarfi Local Government Area.

The statement said, “The operation covered the general area from Durum through Nasarawan Doya to the Arabu River Bank, bordering Soba Local Government Area. The area was thoroughly cleared of suspected criminal elements”

“During the operation, the operatives recovered two locally made guns, three sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and one military camouflage T-shirt abandoned in the area. The joint patrol and clearance operation is still ongoing to ensure that criminal elements do not regroup or establish hideouts within the area,” the Command stated.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, commended the Police personnel, KADVS, and vigilante members involved in the operation, as well as members of the public whose timely information contributed to its success.

Rabiu reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led clearance operations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks, rescuing victims and restoring lasting peace across Kaduna State.