The Kaduna State Police Command said it has arrested a 34-year-old wanted bandit, Mati Bagio, accused of terrorising Kaduna and Katsina States, after 11 years on the run.
The Command also disclosed that operatives arrested three motorcycle thieves and recovered 5 AK-47 rifles with different types of ammunitions, a stolen Toyota Prado Jeep and 2 motorcycles from suspected criminals.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kaduna State Command, DSP Mansir Hassan said, while acting on credible intelligence on 18th July 2025, at about 5:30am, a team of detectives led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit CSP Sani Zuntu, tracked and arrested Bagio, a resident of Unguwan Galadima of Shika District, Giwa local government area of the State.
Hassan said, “The suspect is a notorious bandit leader who terrorised Kaduna and Katsina states along Giwa, Hunkuyi, Faskari, Dandume and Funtua local governments areas and has been on the run for the past eleven years.”
He explained that the suspect was apprehended at his residence, where cache of arms and ammunition was recovered.
According to the PPRO, items recovered from the suspect include 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 fabricated AK-47 rifle, 1 pump action gun, 2 English pistols, 2 AK-47 magazines, 2 LAR rifle magazines, 4 fabricated AK-47 butts, 4 AK-47 ammunition rounds, 10 pump action ammunition, 87 pistol ammunition, 1 machete, 2 torch lights and 1 unjamming rod.
Hassan said the arrest marked a significant milestone in the Command’s efforts to rid the state of illegal arms and ensure the safety and security of its residents.
He further disclosed that the suspect was in police custody and undergoing further investigation, after which he will be charged to court.
Police also assured that efforts were being intensified to arrest the fleeing gang members.
In the same vein, the PPRO said on July 17, 2025, at about 2am, police received a distress call from the Kaduna Command Control Room, reporting the snatching of a black Toyota Prado Jeep at gunpoint in Abuja.
“The vehicle was subsequently tracked and was located near Shema Filling Station in Unguwan Gwari, Kaduna,” the PPRO said.
Upon receipt of the intelligence, Hassan said a patrol and surveillance team from Kawo Police Division was immediately dispatched to the area, and the location was swiftly cordoned, resulting to the successful recovery of the stolen vehicle.
“Unfortunately, the suspect fled the scene upon sighting the police team. The recovered vehicle has since been towed to the station for further investigation and will subsequently be handed over to FCT Police Command where the incident was initially reported,” the Kaduna police spokesman said.
Similarly, on July 15, 2025, at about 2pm, following credible intelligence from a reliable source regarding the activities of suspected motorcycle thieves, a team of operatives led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit swung into action.
The operatives tracked down and arrest one Yusuf Yakubu of Amana Village; Abubakar Jibrin and Mustapha Aliyu at Anguwan Rimi, as well as Yunusa Yusuf from Kujama.
“The suspects specialise in attacking, maiming or killing cyclists and dispossessing them of their motorcycles. During the operation, two stolen motorcycles were successfully recovered,” the PPRO said.
He said all the arrested suspects were currently in police custody as investigations continue to uncover other possible accomplices and to recover more stolen property.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad has commended the officers for their swift and timely response.
He urged the public to continue cooperating with the police by providing credible information to aid security agents in combatting crime within the state.
