The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 29 suspects and recovered firearms, stolen vehicles, and illicit drugs in a series of intelligence-led operations carried out over the past two weeks to tackle violent crime across the state.
Commissioner of Police Muhammad Rabiu disclosed the arrests on June 16, 2026, during a press briefing in Kaduna. He said the results were achieved through intelligence-driven policing, collaboration with other security agencies, and tips from residents.
Those in custody include 12 suspected kidnappers, 13 persons linked to murder cases, and four suspected vehicle thieves. Four stolen vehicles were also recovered.
One major operation took place on June 5, when police tracked suspected bandits to a forest hideout in Sagamu, Ogun State, after receiving information about the movement of illegal arms. Six suspects were arrested: Bukar Bulama, Abubakar Mohammad, Mohammad Usman, Ibrahim Sani, Aliyu Usman, and Dan Bello Umaru.
Officers recovered two AK-47 rifles, a pump-action shotgun, a locally made pistol, 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and four cartridges. The suspects have been moved back to Kaduna for further investigation and prosecution.
In Zaria, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Yahya Alhaji Yusuf on May 28 over allegations of kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, and banditry.
He reportedly confessed to abducting two people along the Buruku axis and collecting N6 million ransom. An AK-47 rifle was recovered during his arrest.
The Command also apprehended Usama Tijjani, accused of using false identities to lure women to hotels before stealing their phones and jewellery. Investigators said he confessed to defrauding over 200 women, leading to the recovery of 20 mobile phones and gold jewellery worth more than N30 million.
On June 11, a joint security team led by CSP Sani Ibrahim Zuntu raided Katuga Unguwar Ruwa Village in Kagarko Local Government Area and arrested 13 suspects over the deaths of Isiyaka Bijimi and Mercy Danladi.
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Police said the killings were linked to accusations of witchcraft that sparked violence in the community. Those arrested include Comfort Emmanuel, Ayuba Jatau, and Daniel Enoch, along with 10 others.
The Command scored another win against drug trafficking after arresting Jamilu Ahmed and Mubarak Ibrahim in Zaria with 2,700 sachets of Tramadol. The suspects admitted distributing the drugs within the metropolis.
In efforts to curb vehicle theft, police arrested Shamsudeen Usman for allegedly stealing a Golf III Station Wagon in Makera, Kakuri. The car was later recovered along the Kaduna-Abuja highway. Three other suspects, Shehu Muhammed, Abubakar Musa, and Adamu Manu, were also arrested while trying to dispose of a stolen Toyota Corolla LE in Kaduna.
A Hyundai Sonata stolen at Murtala Mohammed Square was recovered after the thieves abandoned it while fleeing security operatives.
CP Rabiu described the operations as proof of the Command’s determination to keep pressure on criminal networks operating in the state.
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