Police operatives in Kaduna have made a significant breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping and illegal arms dealing, following the arrest of six individuals across various locations in the state. The operations, carried out in different parts of Kaduna between April 17 and 18, 2025, also led to the recovery of several locally fabricated AK-47 rifles.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Kaduna State Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, it was revealed that officers acted swiftly based on credible information received from reliable sources.
On April 17, at about 3:20 p.m., a report was received concerning a suspected kidnapper hiding in Gida Abe. Responding promptly, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of 4 Tafa Division deployed a surveillance team to the area. The suspect, Isa Ibrahim, 30, was arrested. During questioning, he admitted being part of a kidnapping gang that previously operated in Kwara State. According to him, most of his gang members had already been caught, prompting him to flee to Kaduna to start a new group.
Later that same day, at around 1:30 p.m., another team acting on a tip-off stormed Lamido village in Lere Local Government Area. They arrested two more suspects — 23-year-old Sani Liman from Unguwan Fa, and Murtala Magaji, 25, also known as Seto, from Galadimawa village. The duo confessed to taking part in several kidnapping incidents within the region.
In a separate operation on April 18, at about 6:00 p.m., two suspected arms dealers were intercepted by police in Ikara. The suspects — Bajo Badun of Vom Quarters, Jos, and Magaji Abdullahi of Bargi Village, Kano — were allegedly caught with two fabricated AK-47 rifles.
Earlier that same day, around 4:30 a.m., a patrol team noticed a man acting suspiciously along the Kauru-Pambegua Road. When stopped, the officers discovered two locally made rifles and a long chain hidden inside a sack. The man, identified as 30-year-old Ishiyaku Ali of Bakin Dutse, was arrested on the spot.
All six suspects are currently in police custody, and according to the police, they are cooperating with investigators. Authorities are now working to locate other members of these criminal groups who are believed to be on the run.
