Kaduna police arrest 10 suspected bandits and recover firearms during intelligence-led operations across affected communities

Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested 10 suspected bandits and recovered eight firearms during separate intelligence-led operations carried out across Kaduna State.

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The command disclosed on Friday in Kaduna that the operations led to the recovery of six locally fabricated firearms, including AK-47 rifles and pistols, alongside ammunition allegedly intended for criminal groups operating within parts of the state.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, revealed the development in a statement detailing the sweeping operations conducted by security operatives.

According to Hassan, a case involving criminal conspiracy and illegal dealing in firearms and ammunition was transferred from the Ikara Divisional Headquarters on May 1, prompting detectives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to intensify investigations.

The Kaduna police arrest operation subsequently led to the apprehension of five suspects identified as Haruna Dauda, Meshack John, Iliya Dangi, Joshua Maigida and Audu Musa.

“During the operation, detectives recovered four fabricated AK-47 rifles and two fabricated pistols from the suspects,” the statement said.

Preliminary investigations, according to the police, revealed that the suspects allegedly specialised in the illegal supply of arms and ammunition to bandits operating within Ikara and neighbouring communities.

The command added that the suspects allegedly confessed to supplying weapons to other suspects previously arrested by security operatives, identified as Timothy Yohana, Ado Mato and Hamisu Yalwa, all residents of Ikara.

Police authorities said investigations were continuing to uncover the full network behind the alleged arms trafficking syndicate and apprehend additional accomplices.

In a related operation conducted on May 5, operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested two suspects, Yunusa Yahaya, 40, and Mustapha Yahaya, 30, both from Kuraye Village in Kubau Local Government Area.

The suspects were allegedly found in possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and 7.5mm ammunition.

Another decisive raid carried out at the residence of Mathew Tanko in Gidan Jina, Furana Village, Ikara Local Government Area, reportedly led to the recovery of an additional fabricated AK-47 rifle.

Tanko was said to have fled and remains at large.

The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, warned individuals involved in the illegal fabrication, possession and distribution of firearms to criminal groups to immediately desist from such activities.

“The command remains resolute in identifying, tracking and prosecuting all those connected to criminal networks across the state,” Muhammad said.

The Kaduna police arrest operations form part of broader intelligence-driven efforts by security agencies aimed at combating banditry, arms trafficking and other violent crimes threatening communities across the state.

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Muhammad also assured residents that the police, working closely with other security agencies, would sustain aggressive operations to protect lives and property.