From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday said its men have arrested 12 suspected kidnappers, recover N908, 000 suspected to be proceeds of kidnapping and cache of firearms.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Command, ASP Mansir Hassan in a statement on Thursday evening said the suspects and their loots were arrested during various routine operations within the State.
He added that, local intelligence helped the gallant officers to record the success within the past few weeks.
“On September 2, 2024, at about 5 a.m. Police Operatives in collaboration with a team of local hunters, raided Maraban Wasa, Gurzan Hakimi Mariri, and Abugan Kurama villages in Lere Local Government area of Kaduna State and arrested five suspected kidnappers.
“They are Abdulhamid Abubakar a.k.a. Bala, 30 years old, Danjuma Luka a.k.a. Uba, 25 years old, Ayuba Simon, 50 years old and Idi Saleh, 57 years old.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include one fabricated single-barrel gun, one green Golf car, one Bajaj motorcycle, and eight mobile phones.
“Also, on the 2nd of September, 2024, at about 9 p.m. acting on credible information about a suspicious movement of bandits, Police operatives lay an ambush in a motor park where a search was conducted, leading to the recovery of four fabricated AK-47 rifles hidden within a consignment.
“At about 5 a.m. the following morning, six suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. They are Lawal Murtala, Isa Kabiru, Auwal Surajo, Kamala Lawal, Umar Adamu, and Kabiru Liman.
“Exhibits recovered from the suspects include four fabricated AK-47 rifles, two English pistols, two pump-action guns, 24 cartridges, 29 rounds of live ammunition of various calibers, a large quantity of assorted charms, one walkie-talkie, one axe, and ₦908,600.
“Additionally, on the 3rd of September, 2024, at about 10 p.m. acting on credible information from a reliable source, police operatives were informed that a suspected bandit was lodging in a hotel within the Tafa area of Kagarko Local Government, Kaduna State.
“In response, a patrol team was swiftly mobilized and dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, the team arrested one Yahaya Yusuf, a 41-years-old male from Kabo Village, Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.
“During investigation, the suspect confessed to being involved in cattle rustling and kidnapping in Niger and Kaduna, one Tecno cellphone was recovered from the suspect”, PPRO explained.