29 suspected criminals held after Kaduna raids

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No fewer than 29 suspects linked to kidnapping, homicide, car theft and drug trafficking have been arrested by the Kaduna State Police Command in the last two weeks, with operatives recovering firearms, stolen vehicles, jewellery valued at over N30m and 2,700 sachets of Tramadol.

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The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, disclosed the arrests on Monday while briefing journalists on the command’s recent achievements in crime-fighting operations across the state.

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He said the successes were recorded through intelligence-led policing and sustained collaboration with other security agencies and residents.

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He said, “Within the last two weeks, the command successfully arrested 12 suspected kidnappers, 13 suspects for culpable homicide and four suspected car snatchers and recovered four stolen vehicles, as well as 2,700 sachets of Tramadol and other drugs.”

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Among the major breakthroughs, the police boss said six suspected bandits were arrested following intelligence on the movement of illicit firearms across state lines.

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According to him, police operatives tracked the suspects to Sagamu, Ogun State, where a manhunt led to the arrest of Bukar Bulama, Abubakar Mohammad, Mohammad Usman, Ibrahim Sani, Aliyu Usman and Dan Bello Umaru.

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He said a search of their hideout in a forest led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, one fabricated pistol, 10 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and four cartridges.

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“The suspects were subsequently transferred to Kaduna State for further investigation and prosecution,” he added.

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Rabiu also disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Zaria arrested one Yahya Alhaji Yusuf for alleged involvement in banditry activities.

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He said the suspect confessed to participating in kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed robbery operations, including the abduction of two victims along the Buruku axis, from whom a ransom of N6m was allegedly collected.

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The commissioner added that an AK-47 rifle belonging to the suspect was recovered during the investigation.

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In another operation, the command arrested one Usama Tijjani, who allegedly specialised in luring women to hotels, gaining their confidence and stealing their phones, jewellery and other valuables.

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Rabiu said the suspect admitted to defrauding more than 200 women.

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He stated, “During preliminary investigations, the suspect voluntarily confessed to deceiving over 200 women and subsequently dispossessing them of their valuables.”

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The police recovered gold jewellery valued at over N30m and 20 different GSM phones suspected to be proceeds of the crimes.

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The command also arrested 13 suspects in connection with the killing of two persons following witchcraft allegations in the Katuga Unguwar Ruwa village of Kagarko Local Government Area.

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The suspects, according to the commissioner, include “Comfort Emmanuel, Ayuba Jatau, Daniel Enoch, Anthony Victor, Bijimi Jethro, Saviour Umar, Zelord Philip, Hosea Haruna, Umaru Dantara, Justina Philip, Promise Samuel, Kerin Adamu and Veronica James.”

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Rabiu said they were suspected of having played active roles in the killing of Isiyaka Bijimi and Mercy Danladi, an incident that later degenerated into communal violence.

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“Investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of each suspect’s involvement and to ensure all those connected with the crime are brought to justice,” he said.

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The police chief further revealed that two suspected drug dealers, identified as Jamilu Ahmed and Mubarak Ibrahim, were intercepted in Zaria with 2,700 sachets of Tramadol.

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According to him, the suspects confessed to being drug dealers operating within and around the Zaria metropolis.

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Similarly, three suspected members of a car-snatching syndicate—Shehu Muhammed, Abubakar Musa and Adamu Manu—were arrested while attempting to sell a stolen Toyota Corolla LE in Kaduna.

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The vehicle was recovered, while efforts were ongoing to uncover other crimes linked to the suspects.

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The commissioner also disclosed that operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department recovered a Hyundai Sonata stolen at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, after the suspects abandoned it and fled upon sighting security operatives.

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