Kaduna Police Arrest Suspected Gun Runner, Recover Rifles, 637 Rounds of Ammunition
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a suspected gun runner and recovered firearms, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and other exhibits in separate operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing in Kaduna, where he outlined recent operational successes recorded by the command in its efforts to combat armed banditry, kidnapping, robbery and other forms of criminality.
Muhammad said the command’s operations were driven by intelligence gathering, targeted policing and collaboration with other security agencies and community members.
According to him, the command’s major breakthrough occurred on August 25 when operatives of the Sabon Gari Division responded to a distress call at Yan’Karfe Motor Park, Zaria, concerning a 39-year-old man identified as Kenneth, a native of Delta State, who was behaving suspiciously while carrying a sack.
A search of the sack led to the recovery of two AK-49 rifles, 228 rounds of RPG ammunition, 275 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition, five AK-47 magazines and some quantities of suspected hard drugs.
The suspect was arrested and the case is currently under investigation.
The commissioner commended the officers for their swift response and urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons and movements to the police.
Three suspected bandits arrested
Muhammad also disclosed that three suspected members of an armed bandit gang were arrested on August 24 along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway following credible intelligence on the activities of a suspected kidnapping syndicate.
The suspects were identified as Ibrahim Muhammad, alias “Alti”, 25; Usman Tukur, alias “Mallam”, 27; and Hassan Alhaji Salisu, alias “Tagwaye”, 23.
The commissioner said preliminary interrogation indicated that the suspects admitted membership of an armed bandit gang operating around Millennium City and other parts of Kaduna.
He said investigations were ongoing and the suspects would be charged to court upon completion of the process.
Police recover 134 AK-47 rounds
The command also recovered 134 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition from a motorcyclist intercepted along Kachia Road on August 25.
Muhammad said the suspect was stopped during a routine stop-and-search operation after officers noticed his suspicious movement and searched a sack he was carrying.
He allegedly confessed during interrogation that he had been sent by a notorious armed bandit identified as “Yellow Mai-million” to collect and deliver the ammunition to him.
Suspect arrested with firearm, military accoutrements
The commissioner said police operatives also arrested one Gideon Martins of Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, on July 22 following intelligence on his suspicious activities.
A search of the suspect reportedly led to the recovery of a locally made double-barrel gun, handcuffs, one live 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, a point-of-sale machine, a drilling machine and security uniforms.
Muhammad said the suspect remained in custody while investigation continued.
Three arrested over robbery, rape incidents
The commissioner further disclosed that the command, in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University security personnel and the Civilian Joint Task Force, arrested three suspects over alleged armed robbery and sexual assault in communities around Rafin Tukurwa, Zaria.
The suspects were identified as Jamilu Yau, alias “Jagwa”, 20; Abdullahi Hamisu, alias “Maikudi Santsi”, 25; and Sani Abubakar, alias “Gaye”, 20.
According to Muhammad, two of the suspects allegedly confessed to their involvement in the offences and claimed they used a “grave stick” charm allegedly supplied by Hamisu.
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He said the suspects also allegedly confessed to attacks in Gidan Kira, Magata and Gidan Maranta villages, where victims were reportedly robbed at knifepoint and sexually assaulted.
The commissioner said additional victims and village heads had subsequently made complaints against one of the suspects in connection with similar offences.
He urged anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist the police investigation.
Cannabis-laden sacks abandoned
Muhammad said police also recovered 11 sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be cannabis along the Zaria-Kano Expressway on August 15.
He said operatives on patrol sighted unidentified persons loading items into an unregistered Volkswagen Golf station wagon.
The suspects allegedly fled after sighting the police, abandoning both the items and the vehicle.
The commissioner said efforts had been intensified to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects.
Man arrested with pistol after alleged phone theft
In another operation, operatives of the Kajuru Division arrested a 27-year-old man, Barnabas Amale, following an alleged attempted phone theft in Idon-Gida, Kajuru Local Government Area.
Muhammad said the suspect allegedly produced a pistol and threatened to shoot residents who pursued him after he reportedly stole a Tecno mobile phone.
Community members eventually apprehended him and handed him over to the police.
Further investigation reportedly led to the identification of another suspect, Victor Patrick, 37, who allegedly received the firearm from a third suspect, identified as Oyou Movel, who remains at large.
Stolen Water Board vehicle recovered
The commissioner also disclosed the recovery of a Toyota Hilux belonging to the Kaduna State Water Board after it was reported stolen from Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna.
He said detectives led by ASP Sa’ad Maitafsir tracked the vehicle to Kano State, where the suspects allegedly abandoned it after a chase and escaped into the bush.
The vehicle has been recovered while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
Two arrested over vandalism of health facility
Muhammad further disclosed that two suspects were arrested on August 26 in connection with an armed robbery and vandalism incident at the Infectious Disease Centre, Mando, Kaduna.
The suspects, identified as Abdullahi Abubakar and Shehu Sani, both from Makera, Kajuru Local Government Area, were arrested by operatives of the Anti-Car Theft Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department.
Preliminary investigation, according to the commissioner, showed that the suspects allegedly conspired with other members of their gang, who are still at large, to attack the facility.
The gang allegedly scaled the perimeter fence, tied up five security guards and vandalised the centre’s transformer.
Muhammad condemned the attack, describing the vandalism of critical public infrastructure as a serious threat to public health and safety.
He said the command had intensified patrols and raids on suspected criminal hideouts and black spots across the Kaduna metropolis to disrupt criminal activities.
The commissioner assured residents that the police would continue to intensify intelligence gathering, community engagement and targeted operations against banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, vehicle theft and other forms of criminality.
He commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, and the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for their support and guidance, while also acknowledging the cooperation and timely provision of information by residents.
Muhammad urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing credible information capable of preventing crime.
He also appealed to residents to help protect government facilities in their communities, stressing that safeguarding critical infrastructure was a collective responsibility.
The commissioner said the command remained committed to ensuring that suspects in custody were prosecuted upon completion of investigations and that fleeing suspects were tracked down and brought to justice.
By PRNigeria
