The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 26 individuals suspected of kidnapping and recovered arms, ammunition, and part of a ransom during a series of coordinated security operations across the state.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the arrests were carried out between October 3 and 5, 2025, during joint operations involving police operatives and personnel from the Kaduna Vigilance Service. The raids targeted known kidnap syndicates operating in Anchau, Ikara, and Makarfi local government areas.
The Command disclosed that the first significant breakthrough occurred in the early hours of October 5, when officers from the Anchau Division stormed a kidnappers’ hideout at approximately 1:15 a.m. Based on credible intelligence, six suspects were apprehended, including a 21-year-old identified as Jibrin Abubakar, also known as “Oga.”
“Investigation revealed that the suspects had on September 22, 2025, conspired to kidnap one Idris Adamu, aged 60, whom they held in captivity for several days before releasing him after collecting a ransom of ₦5 million,” Hassan said.
During the operation, two suspects—Yunusa Iliya, 31, and Malam Iliya, 55, both from Gidan Sidi Village in Anchau District—were taken into custody following a brief exchange of gunfire with police officers. Two others managed to flee and are currently being pursued by security forces.
Items recovered at the scene included two locally fabricated pump-action rifles, five empty cartridges, a collection of amulets, and ₦546,000, suspected to be part of the ransom paid by the victim’s family.
In a separate operation on October 3, operatives from the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit apprehended a suspect identified as Habibu Alhaji Ahmadu, known by the alias “Munyaye,” in Ikara Local Government Area. Ahmadu was found in possession of two locally made revolver rifles and later confessed to organizing a previous armed attack on the home of a local businessman.
“Preliminary investigations indicate that Ahmadu is a member of a notorious gang terrorizing Ikara and its environs. He operates alongside his accomplices, identified as one Buhari and one Shede, who are currently at large,” the police spokesman added.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover more weapons linked to the gang’s activities.
Another successful raid was conducted on October 4 in Gazara Village, Makarfi Local Government Area. Acting on intelligence provided by a recently released kidnap victim, police stormed the hideout and arrested 14 suspects, including one Bello Umar, who has a history of kidnapping charges. Several cutlasses and other weapons were also recovered.
Further arrests were made later at the Toll Gate area, where three more suspects were taken into custody for their alleged connection to the same criminal syndicate.
“All suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue to uncover their wider network, recover more exhibits, and apprehend other accomplices still at large,” Hassan stated.
Commending the officers for their work, Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, praised the professionalism and dedication of the operatives, calling the operation “another significant stride” in the state’s ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping and violent crime.
“We will continue to intensify intelligence-led operations, strengthen collaboration with local communities, and ensure that every perpetrator of violence faces the full weight of the law,” Muhammad said.
He also appealed to residents to provide timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations throughout the state.
