…Makes recovery of arms, ammunition.
by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrest three suspected armed bandit gangs and a gun runner and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, as well as other exhibits, in Sabon Gari Zaria, Kachia Divisions and other units of the Command.
The State Police Command Commissioner, CP Rabiu Muhammad, who disclosed this during a press briefing held on Thursday in Kaduna, described the achievement as a major breakthrough.
He said, “On 25th August, 2026, at about 2100hrs, the Command received a distress call from Yan’Karfe Motor Park, Sabon Gari Zaria, Kaduna State, that one Kenneth, 39 years old, a native of Delta State, was seen behaving suspiciously while struggling with a sack containing potatoes.”
The CP said the Operatives from Sabon Gari Zaria Division, Kaduna, swiftly responded, and rushed to the scene and recovered some items upon thorough search of the sack.
According to him, “The items recovered includes two (2) AK-49 Rifles, 228 rounds of RPG Ammunition, 275 rounds of 7.62mm AK-47 Ammunition, Five (5) AK-47 Magazines, some quantities of suspected hard drugs, saying the case is presently under investigation.”
Similarly, “On 24th August, 2026, at about 1500hrs, at Audu Jangwam, along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, following a credible intelligence on the activities of suspected kidnapping syndicate, Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, State CID, Kaduna arrested three (3) suspected members of Armed Bandits Gang.
“Those arrested are Ibrahim Muhammad (alias “ALTI”), 25 years, from Adamawa State; Usman Tukur (alias “Mallam”) 27 years, from Zamfara State; Hassan Alhaji Salisu (alias “Tagwaye”), 23 years, from Doka Village, Gusau LGA, Zamfara State, respectively.
“During interrogation, the suspects voluntarily confessed to being members of an armed bandits gang, operating in part of suburb of Millennium City, Kaduna and other general area of the State,” according to CP.
He also said “Investigation is ongoing,” adding that the suspects “will soon be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.”
Accordingly, “On 22nd July, 2026, at about 1500hrs, following a credible intelligence on the suspicious movement of one Gideon Martins ‘m’ of No. 32 Jay-Jay Street, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, the Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Unit, SCID, Kaduna, while on surveillance patrols in the area, arrested the suspect and upon search, he was found in possession of Firearms, Military accoutrements and other exhibit items.”
CP also said “Further investigation led to the recovery of the exhibits such as One (1) Double Barrel, Locally Made Gun, One (1) Handcuff, One (1) Live 9mm Ammunition and Two (2) Live Cartridges, One (1) POS Machine, One (1) Drilling Machine and other security uniforms, respectively.”
The Command said “The suspect is currently in custody, and investigation is ongoing. He will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.”
He said the Operatives recovered 134 live Ammunition – On 25th August, 2026, while on stop-and-search operation, along Kachia Road, Kaduna, where it intercepted a motorcyclist moving in a suspicious manner and in possession of a sack.
“Upon search, the Police Operatives discovered One Hundred and Thirty-four (134) rounds of live AK 47 ammunitions, concealed in the sack. During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to have been sent by a notorious armed bandit, known as one ‘Yellow Mai-million’ to collect and convey the consignment to him (Yellow Mai-million).
“On 15th August, 2026, Police Operatives, while on routine patrols along Zaria-Kano Expressway, sighted some unknown persons with an unregistered Volkswagen Gulf Station Wagon vehicle, trying to load some items into the said vehicle.
“Immediately Police Operatives approached the vehicle, but on sighting the Operatives, the driver of the vehicle drove-off, abandoning the items. Upon search of the eleven (11) sacks, some dried leaves suspected to be Cannabis were recovered. Meanwhile, hunt for the fleeing suspects have been intensified with a view to apprehending the suspects,” he said.
The CP also said the Kaduna State Police Command, in conjunction with ABU Security and CJTF, has arrested three (3) suspects in connection with a series of armed robbery and rape incidents in communities around Rafin Tukurwa, Zaria.
“On 15th August, 2026, following distress calls and complaints from residents of Rafin Tukurwa Village, behind ABU Zaria, a joint operation was conducted, leading to the arrest of three persons.
Those arrested are: Jamilu Yau (alias “Jagwa”) ‘m’, 20yrs, of Tudun Natsira; Abdullahi Hamisu (alias “Maikudi Santsi”) ‘m’, 25yrs, of Tudun Natsira; Sani Abubakar (alias “Gaye”) ‘m’, 20yrs, of Rafin Tukurwa.
CP said “During interrogation, Jamilu Yau (alias “Jagwa”) and Sani Abubakar (alias “Gaye”) voluntarily confessed to the crimes. They further alleged that they used a ‘grave stick’ as a charm supplied to them by Abdullahi Hamisu (alias “Maikudi Santsi”).
“The suspects also confessed to multiple attacks in Gidan Kira, Magata and Gidan Maranta Villages, where victims were robbed at knifepoint and sexually assaulted.
“Several other victims and village heads have also come forward with complaints against Abdullahi Hamisu (alias “Maikudi Santsi”) for similar offences,” CP said, urging anyone with useful information to come forward and inform the Police, saying, all the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
In similar incident, the CP also disclosed that “Operatives from Kajuru Division, Kaduna, acting on credible information swung into action and arrested a 27-year-old man in possession of a pistol, following an attempted phone theft in Idon-Gida, Kajuru LGA.
“On 19th August, 2026, at about 1400hrs, one Titus Luka of Idon-Gida reported that, while working on his farm, he sighted somebody pursuing a suspect and shouting for help, that the suspect stole his Tecno Cellphone.
“They both pursued the suspect to a distance, where the suspect produced a pistol and threatened to shoot them. Some members of the community jointly gave the suspect a hot chase and was subsequently apprehended and handed over to the Police at Idon Outstation, Kajuru Division, Kaduna.
“The suspect was later identified as one Barnabas Amale, 27 years, of Atee Village, Iburu, Kajuru LGA,” CP stated, adding that further investigation led to the identification of another suspect bearing Victor Patrick, 37 years, also of Iburu Village, who allegedly collected the firearm from one Oyou Movel, currently at large, and passed it to Barnabas Amale – the case is still under investigation.
CP Rabiu Muhammad also stated that, “On 18th August, 2026, Kaduna State Police Command recovered a Toyota Hilux vehicle, white colour, with Registration No. DKA 174 LY and Chassis No. AHTEX12G909504224 (Property of Kaduna State Water Board), which was reported to have been stolen at No. 38 Gobarau Road, Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna State.
“Upon receipt of the report, team of Detectives, led by ASP Sa’ad Maitafsir immediately swung into action,” saying, “Through intelligence and diligent tracking, the vehicle was intercepted in Kano State after a hot chase.
“The criminal syndicate abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the bush. The recovered vehicle has been taken into custody, while efforts are ongoing with a view to tracking and arresting the fleeing suspects,” he said.
“In the same vein, on 26th August, 2026, at about 0430hrs, Operatives from the Anti-Car Theft Section, State Criminal Investigation Department, Kaduna, acted on information and arrested two (2) suspects in connection with armed robbery and vandalization of some critical infrastructures at the Infectious Disease Centre, Mando, Kaduna. The team was led by ASP Yusuf Musa, where the following suspects were arrested,” he stated.
CP said “The suspects arrested are: Abdullahi Abubakar ‘m’; Shehu Sani ‘m’”, saying, “Both suspects are from Makera, in Kajuru LGA, Kaduna State.”
According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects, criminally conspired with other members of their gang (currently at large), armed with dangerous weapons, scaled the perimeter fence of the facility and tied up the five (5) security guards on duty and vandalized the transformer belonging to the Centre.
CP said, in their sustained efforts to rid the state of all forms of crimes and criminality, especially within the Metropolitan area of Kaduna State, the Task Force and Metropolitan Area Command has beefed-up its routine patrols and constant raids on suspected black spots and criminal hideouts.
He said this is done with a view to nipping in the bud their criminal activities, as well as denying them the freedom of movement, and stressed that the Command has recovered many dangerous weapons and other exhibits, and the case has been charged to court.
The CP strongly condemns in clear terms the attack on critical public infrastructure, because it describes the act as serious sabotage against the Public Health and Safety of all.
The Command reassured the general public that it will not relent in its fight against all criminal activities in the State, until all fleeing suspects are arrested and brought to justice.
He also appealed to members of the general public to imbibe the culture of protecting government facilities in their communities and to provide timely information to the Police, which will help in crime prevention, saying, suspects arrested are currently in lawful custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
“These achievements underscored the Command’s unwavering determination to deny criminals the freedom to operate freely within Kaduna State.
“We shall continue to intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen community engagements, and sustain targeted operations against armed banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, vehicle theft, and other forms of criminality,” the CP stated.
While he thanked IGP and people of Kaduna State for the support, CP Rabiu Muhammad emphasized that, “The Command remains resolute in its commitments to tackling all forms of criminality through intelligence-led policing, strategic operations, and collaboration with sister security agencies and members of the public.”