The Nigeria Police Force, Kaduna State Command, has recorded major successes in its ongoing operations against banditry, gunrunning and kidnapping, arresting several suspects and seizing a cache of illegal weapons over the past two weeks.
Speaking at the Command headquarters on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the achievements were the result of intelligence-led clearance operations carried out in Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi and Kauru Local Government Areas.
He explained that security operatives dismantled several bandits’ camps during the raids. Some suspects were neutralised in exchanges of gunfire, while others reportedly fled with gunshot injuries.
Informants and suspected drug suppliers connected to criminal groups were also taken into custody.
The commissioner stated that a number of notorious bandits and five suspected gunrunners were apprehended, with a substantial quantity of arms recovered from different locations.
Items seized during the operations include three AK-47 rifles, one SMG rifle, two English pistols, four locally made pistols, 21 fabricated firearms and a large quantity of illicit drugs.
In a related operation, Muhammad disclosed that officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Adamu Aminu of Jaji in Igabi LGA on February 20 at about 9 p.m. during a sting operation.
Recovered from the suspect were six fabricated AK-47 rifles, three fabricated revolver rifles, two fabricated pistols, seven AK-47 magazines and a pair of black Wellco boots.
Another suspect, Abubakar Hassan of Unguwar Rogo in Jos North, was also arrested for alleged involvement in an arms fabrication and supply network believed to be fueling criminal activities within and beyond Kaduna State.
Similarly, on February 17, police operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted three suspects in Kasuwan Magani over a suspected illegal arms deal.
The suspects — Peter Pama, Saleh Monday and Sunday Makama — were arrested in possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and a fabricated pump-action gun.
Muhammad said investigations are ongoing to uncover the full scope of the syndicates, trace the supply chains of the seized weapons and ensure that all those involved face prosecution.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to sustained intelligence-driven operations and commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Kaduna State Government, officers of the Command and members of the public for their continued support in combating crime.
