From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Kaduna State Police Command has achieved notable successes in its efforts to combat crime, arresting over 580 suspects for various offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, and theft.
The Commissioner of Police for the command, Muhammad Rabiu, told newsmen on Tuesday that the command also rescued over 30 kidnapped victims and recovered stolen properties and illegal weapons, including motorcycles, motor vehicles, and firearms, within the period under review.
The police commissioner attributed the successes to intelligence-driven operations, synergies with sister security agencies, and collaboration with communities.
He used the opportunity to warn criminal elements that Kaduna State would no longer be a haven for them, urging the citizens to remain law-abiding and support the police by providing timely and credible information.
Some of the notable achievements of the command include the arrest of two notorious kidnappers’ informants, the arrest of two notorious motorcycle snatchers, and the recovery of 16 motorcycles and three tricycles from notorious receivers.
The command also rescued 23 kidnapped victims and recovered 20 bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
“I want to assure the good people of Kaduna State that the state is safer, and we are working tirelessly to sustain and improve the security situation across every nook and cranny of the state.
“From 31st December 2024 to date, the Kaduna State Police Command has recorded significant successes in our fight against crime.
“Through intelligence-driven operations, synergies with sister security agencies, and collaboration with communities to achieve safety and security, we have recorded tremendous successes, and we are here to showcase some of our achievements.
“Arrest of over 580 suspects for various offences, including 20 suspected kidnappers, 320 suspected phone snatchers, 32 suspected armed robbers, five car thieves, 13 motorcycle snatchers, 10 suspects involved in rape cases, and 23 receivers of stolen goods.
“Rescue of over 30 kidnapped victims, who have since been reunited with their families, recovery of stolen properties and illegal weapons, including 34 stolen motorcycles, 10 stolen motor vehicles, one submachine gun, four AK-47 rifles, two pistols, 28 rounds of live ammunition with five magazines, 52 rustled cows, four sledgehammers, and 20 bags of dried leaves suspected to be weeds,” he said.
He continued, “On 10th February 2025, officers from the Gadar Gayan Outpost, based on credible intelligence, tracked down and arrested two suspects, namely Inusa Ibrahim (18) and Hamisu Musa (18), both of Kangimin Gobirawa Village, who were caught making phone calls to suspected bandits, providing them with names of individuals targeted for kidnapping in their village.
“During the investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime and are currently in custody as further inquiries continue.
“On 15th January 2025, acting on credible intelligence regarding the activities of a criminal syndicate that specialised in motorcycle theft, officers from the Anti-Car Theft Section mobilised to the Mando area, where they apprehended two suspects, identified as Ibrahim Abubakar and Surakatu Usman.
“On 19th January 2025, acting on credible intelligence about some notorious criminal receivers, officers swiftly mobilised to Rigasa, where they arrested Ibrahim Nura, aka Danturawa, and Musa Abdullahi, aka Depot.
“On 23rd January 2025, acting on credible intelligence about the activities of a notorious car thief, officers from the Anti-Car Theft Section swiftly mobilised and arrested one Abubakar in Water Suit Hotel, Mando, Kaduna, where he was found hiding, and a Toyota Yaris motor vehicle, suspected to be stolen, was recovered from him.
“On 2nd February 2025, acting on credible intelligence regarding the movement of armed bandits in the Kajuru area, security operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kajuru Division and military personnel, advanced into the bush near Doka Village in Kajuru Local Government Area (LGA), where they encountered a gang of armed bandits trying to relocate with their victims to Kajuru Forest, among other successes.”