The Kaduna State Police Command on Monday announced the arrest of 41 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers during a series of operations carried out across the state.
The Command also confirmed the rescue of seven kidnapped victims, alongside the recovery of firearms and rustled cattle.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, revealed that the successes were achieved between March and April 2026 through intelligence-driven strategies and coordinated raids targeting criminal hideouts.
According to him, operatives recovered 24 firearms, 200 rounds of live ammunition, and 50 stolen cows, while dismantling several criminal syndicates operating in different parts of Kaduna State.
Providing details of key operations, the police commissioner said a suspected arms supplier was apprehended in Kagarko, with 20 locally made Dane guns recovered from the suspect. In another operation in Makarfi, two individuals linked to kidnappings around Tashan Yari village were arrested following actionable intelligence.
Muhammad further disclosed that several informants allegedly working with bandits were arrested in Kachia, Giwa, and Kauru Local Government Areas, emphasizing that such collaborators played significant roles in enabling criminal activities.
The Command also made progress in homicide investigations, with two suspects arrested in Zaria over their alleged involvement in killings in Giwa Local Government Area.
On arms trafficking, the police intercepted 200 rounds of ammunition hidden inside a sack of guinea corn, leading to the arrest of two suspects from Zamfara State.
In a related development, a suspected drug dealer and gang member known for terrorizing residents of Rigasa and surrounding communities was apprehended during a joint operation involving the Strike Force.
Operations targeting cattle rustling led to the arrest of suspects in Soba and Giwa Local Government Areas, where 20 stolen cows were recovered during a coordinated ambush.
Similarly, operatives of Operation Fushin Kada dismantled criminal groups involved in armed robbery, phone theft, and thuggery in Rigasa, arresting 13 suspects who reportedly confessed to multiple offences.
Additional arrests included suspects linked to motorcycle theft, receivers of stolen goods, and an individual caught stealing construction materials from the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.
The commissioner stated that all suspects would be prosecuted upon the completion of investigations, adding that efforts were ongoing to track down fleeing members of the criminal networks.
Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling crime, Muhammad urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information to enhance safety across Kaduna State.
