Police Nab Bandits, Drug Supplier, Child Traffickers

Kaduna State Police Command has recorded major operational breakthroughs with the arrest of a suspected drug supplier to bandits, an illegal arms bearer, and three members of a suspected child trafficking syndicate.

The Command also said it recovered 60 rustled cows and 25 sheep with the help of a repentant bandit.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mansir Hassan, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, the Command disclosed that the arrests and recoveries were made between 22nd and 30th September 2025.

According to the statement, on 29th September 2025, operatives attached to Maraban Jos Division, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Franklin Ozo, a 30-year-old male from Danmagaji, Zaria, suspected of supplying illicit drugs to bandits. The suspect was found in possession of a large quantity of Exol-5 tablets worth millions of naira.

The statement also said that preliminary investigations revealed that the drugs were en route to Kidandan and Giwa, where they were allegedly meant for consumption by bandits operating in the area, adding that the apprehended suspect will remain in custody as investigations continue.

In a separate operation on the same day, the Police spokesperson said, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit apprehended one Alhaji Sani, also known as “Dan Gude”, at Doka Ilu village in Giwa Local Government Area, adding that the suspect was reportedly found in possession of one fabricated AK-47 rifle, two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and one AK-47 magazine.

The police said discreet investigations are ongoing to trace the source of the weapon and identify possible collaborators.

Also, on 22nd September 2025, operatives acting on intelligence arrested a suspected notorious child trafficker, Khadija Ibrahim, in the Narayi area of Kadunabin Chikun local government. The suspect was caught with a minor, later identified as Abdulmumin (surname withheld).

Further investigation led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Daniel Samuel and Danjuma Makoshi, both male, whose apprehension led to the rescue of another victim, Ibrahim Bilyaminu, a 5-year-old boy from Gusau, Zamfara State.

The children have been placed under protective custody while efforts are underway to dismantle the entire trafficking network, the statement said.

In another development, on 30th September 2025, at about 7:15 pm, the Command, through community engagement and non-kinetic strategies adopted by the Commissioner of Police, recovered 60 cows and 25 sheep previously rustled. The recovery was made possible through information volunteered by a repentant bandit, and the livestock have been returned to their rightful owner.

Meanwhile, the CP Muhammad, he said, has reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling illegal drug distribution, arms proliferation, and child trafficking while sending a severe warning to criminal elements to desist from their activities or face the full weight of the law.