The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 11 suspected kidnappers and recovered arms and a large sum of money during operations across the state.

According to the command’s spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police Mansir Hassan, the arrests are linked to the kidnapping of a district head on August 14, 2024, who was released two days later.

Police operatives, working with local hunters, raided three villages in Lere Local Government Area, arresting five suspects and recovering a fabricated single-barrel gun, a vehicle, a motorcycle, several mobile phones

In a separate operation, six additional suspects were arrested at a motor park, leading to the recovery of four fabricated AK-47 rifles, two English pistols, two pump-action guns, a significant sum of money

The police also apprehended a suspected bandit at a hotel in the Tafa area of Kagarko Local Government. The suspect confessed to involvement in cattle rustling and kidnapping.

The state Commissioner of Police, Audu Dabigi, commended the operatives for their bravery and urged the public to continue cooperating with the police to rid the state of criminals.

Hassan described the arrests and recoveries as a major milestone in the ongoing fight against kidnapping and banditry, which have plagued Kaduna State in recent times.

The statement read: “In connection with the kidnapping of a district head on 14 August 2024, who was released on 16 August 2024, police operatives in Saminaka, in collaboration with local hunters, raided three villages in Lere Local Government Area, namely Maraban Wasa, Gurzan Hakimi Mariri, and Abugan Kurama.

“Five suspects were arrested: Abdulhamid Abubakar (alias Bala, 30), Danjuma Luka (alias Uba, 25), Ayuba Simon (50), and Idi Saleh (57). Exhibits recovered included a fabricated single-barrel gun, a green Golf car, a Bajaj motorcycle, and eight mobile phones.

“On 2 September 2024, at about 9:00 PM, police operatives acting on credible intelligence laid an ambush at a motor park, leading to the recovery of four fabricated AK-47 rifles hidden within a consignment.

“Six suspects were arrested the following morning at about 5:10 AM: Lawal Murtala, Isa Kabiru, Auwal Surajo, Kamala Lawal, Umar Adamu, and Kabiru Liman. Recovered items included four fabricated AK-47 rifles, two English pistols, two pump-action guns, 24 cartridges, 29 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, assorted charms, a walkie-talkie, an axe, and ₦908,600 in cash.

“On 3 September 2024, at about 10:00 PM, police received credible information about a suspected bandit staying at a hotel in the Tafa area of Kagarko Local Government. A patrol team arrested Yahaya Yusuf, a 41-year-old male from Kabo Village, Gurara Local Government Area, Niger State. He confessed to involvement in cattle rustling and kidnapping in Niger and Kaduna states. A Tecno mobile phone was recovered from him.”

The Commissioner of Police called on the public to continue cooperating with the police and assured that efforts to combat criminal activities in the state would be intensified.