Follow Us on Google
By Abdulhameed Oladejo
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a suspected gunrunner and recovered arms, ammunition, suspected illicit drugs and other exhibits in separate operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing in Kaduna, saying the arrests and recoveries were part of sustained efforts by the command to combat crime and protect lives and property.
Muhammad said the command received a distress call on Tuesday about a suspicious man, identified simply as Kenneth, 39, at Yan’Karfe Motor Park, Sabon Gari, Zaria.
He said police operatives who responded to the scene searched a sack in the suspect’s possession and recovered two AK-49 rifles, 228 rounds of RPG ammunition, 275 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition, five AK-47 magazines and quantities of substances suspected to be hard drugs.
The commissioner said the suspect remained in custody while investigation was ongoing.
He also disclosed that three suspected members of an armed bandit gang were arrested on Monday along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway following credible intelligence.
According to him, the suspects, aged 23, 25 and 27, confessed to operating in Millennium City and other parts of Kaduna.
Muhammad said police operatives also arrested another suspect at Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, following surveillance over his alleged suspicious activities.
He said a locally made double-barrel gun, a handcuff, one live 9mm ammunition, two live cartridges, a POS machine, a drilling machine and security uniforms were recovered from the suspect.
The commissioner further disclosed that police operatives on stop-and-search duty along Kachia Road intercepted a motorcyclist carrying a sack containing 134 rounds of AK-47 ammunition.
“The suspect confessed that he was sent by a notorious armed bandit known as Yellow Mai-million to collect and convey the ammunition to him,” he said.
Muhammad also disclosed that 11 sacks containing dried leaves suspected to be cannabis were recovered along the Zaria-Kano Expressway on August 15.
He said the suspects abandoned the items and fled after sighting police operatives, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend them.
The commissioner said three suspects were also arrested in connection with alleged armed robbery and rape incidents around Rafin Tukurwa, behind Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He said the suspects allegedly attacked residents of Gidan Kira, Magata and Gidan Maranta villages, robbing victims at knifepoint and sexually assaulting some of them.
Muhammad appealed to other victims and members of the public with useful information about the alleged offences to come forward and assist the police investigation.
He further disclosed that police operatives in Kajuru arrested a 27-year-old man following an alleged attempted phone theft in Idon-Gida.
According to him, the suspect allegedly produced a pistol and threatened to shoot members of the community who pursued him after he reportedly stole a mobile phone.
Muhammad said another suspect was subsequently identified in connection with the firearm, while a third suspect, identified as Oyou Movel, remained at large.
He added that detectives recovered a Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the Kaduna State Water Board, which had been reported stolen at Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna.
The vehicle, he said, was recovered in Kano State after detectives led by ASP Sa’ad Maitafsir tracked and intercepted it following a hot chase.
The CP also disclosed that two suspects were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the alleged armed robbery and vandalisation of critical infrastructure at the Infectious Disease Centre, Mando, Kaduna.
He said preliminary investigation showed that the suspects and other members of their gang, who were still at large, scaled the facility’s perimeter fence, tied up five security guards and vandalised the centre’s transformer.
Muhammad condemned attacks on critical public infrastructure, describing such acts as serious sabotage capable of undermining public health and safety.
He said the command had intensified patrols and raids on suspected criminal hideouts and black spots within the Kaduna metropolis and other parts of the state.
The commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olutunji Disu, and the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, for their support and guidance to the command.
He also appreciated residents for providing credible information and urged them to remain vigilant and continue supporting the police in preventing crime.
Muhammad appealed to the judiciary to support lawful police efforts to parade suspects, particularly in cases where arrests were made in connection with alleged offences or where exhibits were recovered from suspects.
He said greater public awareness of police operations would help communities remain vigilant and contribute to crime prevention.
The commissioner assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence gathering, community engagement and targeted operations against banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, vehicle theft and other forms of criminality across the state.
