By Mohammad Tijjani
The Police Command in Kaduna State has arrested 12 suspected kidnappers, 13 suspects linked to culpable homicide, four suspected car snatchers and recovered four stolen vehicles within the last two weeks.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Muhammad Rabiu, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing on the command’s recent achievements in crime-fighting and public safety operations.
Rabiu said the command also recovered illegal firearms and seized 2,700 sachets of tramadol and other hard drugs during the period under review.
According to him, the successes were achieved through intelligence-led policing, strategic operations and collaboration with other security agencies and members of the public.
He said that on June 5, police operatives acting on intelligence tracked six suspected bandits to Sagamu in Ogun State and arrested them following a manhunt operation.
The suspects, identified as Bukar Bulama, Abubakar Mohammad, Mohammad Usman, Ibrahim Sani, Aliyu Usman and Dan Bello Umaru, were allegedly involved in the movement of illicit firearms across state lines.
“A search of their hideout in a forest led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, one fabricated pistol, 10 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and four cartridges,” he said.
The commissioner also disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Zaria arrested one Yahya Alhaji Yusuf, suspected to be involved in banditry activities.
Rabiu said the suspect confessed to participating in kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed robbery operations and admitted collecting N6 million ransom from victims kidnapped along the Buruku axis.
He added that an AK-47 rifle belonging to the suspect was recovered during the investigation.
The police commissioner further said the command arrested one Usama Tijjani, alleged to have lured women to hotels, stole their phones, jewellery and other valuables after gaining their trust.
According to him, the suspect confessed to deceiving more than 200 women and dispossessing them of their valuables.
He said police recovered gold jewellery valued at over N30 million and 20 different mobile phones suspected to be proceeds of the crime.
Rabiu also announced the arrest of 13 suspects in connection with the killing of two persons following allegations of witchcraft in Katuga Unguwar Ruwa Village, Kagarko Local Government Area.
He identified the deceased as Isiyaka Bijimi and Mercy Danladi.
“The incident escalated into communal violence, prompting a coordinated police operation which led to the arrest of the suspects.
“Investigation is ongoing to determine the level of involvement of each suspect and ensure all those connected to the crime are brought to justice,” he said.
The commissioner said police operatives intercepted two suspected drug dealers on June 10 and recovered 2,700 sachets of tramadol from them.
He said the suspects confessed to operating drug distribution networks within and around Zaria metropolis.
Rabiu further disclosed that detectives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested one suspect over the theft of a Golf III Station Wagon reported stolen in Kaduna.
He said the vehicle was recovered along the Kaduna-Abuja Road, while efforts were ongoing to arrest an accomplice still at large.
In another operation, three suspected members of a car-snatching syndicate were arrested while attempting to deliver a stolen Toyota Corolla LE to a buyer in Kaduna.
The commissioner said the suspects confessed to their involvement in vehicle theft and related criminal activities.
He added that police also recovered a Hyundai Sonata reported stolen at Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna after suspects abandoned it during a pursuit by operatives.
Rabiu reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining operations against kidnapping, banditry, robbery, vehicle theft and other crimes across the state.
He thanked the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the Kaduna State Government and residents of the state for their support and cooperation.
The commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies to enhance safety and security in the state. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)