By Mohammad Tijjani
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 30 suspected kidnappers, four
gunrunners and recovered five firearms with live ammunition during operations
carried out across the state in April.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this on Monday
during a press briefing on the command’s achievements for the month.
He said the command also arrested six suspected car thieves and recovered four
stolen vehicles within the period under review.
According to him, the successes were recorded through sustained intelligence-led
policing, proactive patrols and coordinated tactical operations against criminal
elements.
Muhammad said among the recovered weapons was an anti-riot gun and other
locally fabricated firearms.
He said on April 16, operatives of the Anti-Car Theft Unit, acting on intelligence,
engaged suspected bandits along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway near the toll gate.
The commissioner said the suspects fled into a nearby bush with gunshot wounds,
abandoning one AK-47 rifle and eight rounds of live ammunition, adding that
investigations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Muhammad also said police rescued a seven-year-old kidnapped child, following a
report by his father, Abdullahi Idris, of Anchau in Kubau Local Government Area.
He said the victim was abducted while returning from school, while the kidnappers
demanded N40 million ransom.
According to him, swift action by the Divisional Police Officer in Anchau led to
the rescue of the child in Maigana, Soba Local Government Area, while a suspect
was later arrested in Malumfashi, Katsina State, saying the suspect had confessed
and was assisting police investigation.
The commissioner further said detectives from the State Criminal Investigation
Department arrested a suspect in possession of a suspected stolen Toyota Corolla,
while another suspected stolen Hyundai vehicle was also recovered.
He said further investigation led to the arrest of an accomplice in Kano State.
Muhammad said police operatives also arrested one suspect at Kurmin Zaki, in
possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle.
He said a patrol team from Kawo Division also recovered an anti-riot long-range
gun, two short-range shells and one long-range shell abandoned by a fleeing
suspect near Kawo Flyover.
The commissioner said in another operation, a surveillance team from Zaria Area
Command arrested one suspect with 44 wraps of suspected cannabis, adding that
the suspect was in custody while the investigation continued.
Muhammad said police also tracked and recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla in
Katsina State after it was allegedly stolen from a mechanic workshop in Zaria.
He said a suspect was found in possession of the vehicle and was being
investigated.
The commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal
networks and ensuring the safety of lives and property across Kaduna State.
He appreciated the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olutunji Disu, Kaduna State
Government and residents for their support and cooperation.
Muhammad urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible
information to security agencies.
