Police Neutralise Bandits, Arrest Gunrunners In Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against banditry and illegal arms proliferation, arresting several suspected bandits.

The police said five notorious gunrunners were among those arrested, while a significant cache of arms and illicit substances was recovered.

The commissioner of police, Rabiu Muhammad, who disclosed this at a news conference in Kaduna yesterday, detailed the successes recorded within the last two weeks, saying the command also recovered no fewer than 30 firearms in coordinated operations.

Muhammad said the operations were part of sustained intelligence-led offensives targeting bandits’ camps and criminal hideouts in Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi and Kauru local government areas.

According to him, operatives also apprehended suspected informants and drug suppliers believed to be aiding criminal networks.

“The command has recorded remarkable breakthroughs in our sustained efforts to rid Kaduna State of banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes. These achievements are outcomes of proactive and intelligence-led policing,” he said.

The commissioner said items recovered were three AK-47 rifles, 21 locally fabricated firearms, one submachine gun (SMG), two English pistols, four fabricated pistols, as well as large quantities of hard drugs.

Muhammad said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one, “Adamu Aminu of Jaji town in Igabi LGA on February 20 at about 2100 hours”

He added that a second suspect, Abubakar Hassan of Unguwar Rogo in Jos North local government area of Plateau State, was subsequently arrested in connection with the case.

According to the commissioner of police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were involved in the fabrication and supply of illegal arms, “thereby fuelling criminal activities within and outside Kaduna State.”

“Similarly, on February 17, police operatives intercepted three suspects, Peter Pama, Saleh Monday and Sunday Makama at Kasuwan Magani following credible intelligence on an illegal arms transaction.

The suspects were found in possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun”

Muhammad said investigations were ongoing to dismantle the criminal syndicates, trace the distribution networks of the recovered weapons and ensure all those involved were brought to justice.