From Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on violent crime, arresting 29 suspects and recovering firearms, stolen vehicles, and large quantities of illicit drugs during a two-week statewide security operation.
The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kaduna, noting that the operations were intelligence-driven and supported by sister security agencies as well as credible public information.
He said the arrests include 12 suspected kidnappers, 13 suspects linked to culpable homicide, and four alleged car snatchers. Four stolen vehicles were also recovered within the period under review.
A major breakthrough occurred on June 5 when operatives tracked six suspected bandits across state lines to a forest hideout in Sagamu, Ogun State. The suspects were arrested following intelligence on the movement of illegal arms.
The suspects, Bukar Bulama, Abubakar Mohammad, Mohammad Usman, Ibrahim Sani, Aliyu Usman, and Dan Bello Umaru were found with two AK-47 rifles, a pump-action gun, a locally fabricated pistol, 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and four cartridges. They have since been transferred to Kaduna for further investigation.
In another operation on May 28, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Zaria arrested Yahya Alhaji Yusuf over alleged involvement in kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, and armed robbery. He reportedly confessed to abducting two victims along the Buruku axis and collecting a ransom of ₦6 million. An AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.
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Police also arrested Usama Tijjani for allegedly luring women to hotels under false pretences, assaulting them, and stealing valuables. He was said to have confessed to deceiving over 200 women, with gold jewellery worth over ₦30 million and 20 mobile phones recovered as exhibits.
On June 11, a joint security operation in Kagarko LGA led to the arrest of 13 suspects linked to a mob attack that resulted in the killing of two residents over allegations of witchcraft, which escalated into communal unrest.
The Command further intercepted drug traffickers Jamilu Ahmed and Mubarak Ibrahim in Zaria with 2,700 sachets of Tramadol, while multiple vehicle theft cases were also uncovered, including recovered Golf III and Toyota Corolla vehicles.
Commissioner Rabiu commended the Inspector-General of Police and Governor Uba Sani for their support, adding that the achievements demonstrate the Command’s resolve to deny criminals operational space across Kaduna State.