BTvNEWS

CP Rabiu Unveils Major Operational Gains, Arms Trafficking Bust, Stolen Vehicle Recovery; Vows Sustained Pressure on Criminal Networks

By AbdulHakeem Mutiu Adejumo-Ajeseku, Kaduna-Nigeria

BTvNEWS: The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected kidnappers and recovered several firearms, AK-47 magazines, more than 500 rounds of live ammunition, 38 live cartridges and a bag containing charms in a series of intelligence-led operations across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Muhammad Rabiu, PSC, mni, disclosed this during a press briefing on the Command’s operational achievements, attributing the successes to proactive policing, intelligence gathering, surveillance, rapid response, inter-agency cooperation and community collaboration.

CP Rabiu said the Command’s operations have targeted kidnapping, banditry, arms trafficking, cattle rustling, vehicle theft and other criminal activities, while efforts continue to apprehend suspects still at large.

In one of the major operations, police operatives attached to Operation Fushin Kada intercepted Abdullahi Ibrahim, 45, at Maraban Kanja on September 24, 2026. The suspect was allegedly found with two locally made AK-47 rifles, nine locally made long guns, ten locally made pistols, two AK-47 magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 38 live cartridges.

According to the Commissioner, the suspect disclosed during interrogation that he obtained the weapons and ammunition from Saidu Magari and Mallam Ado, who remain at large. Police have intensified efforts to apprehend the two suspects.

In a separate operation, police recovered three firearms allegedly linked to suspected banditry and cattle rustling along the Kidandan–Birnin Gwari axis. The weapons—an AK-47, a Type-06 rifle and an LAR rifle—were recovered from a vehicle intercepted at Dogarawa, Zaria.

The operation followed intelligence concerning Lawal Umar, of Kidandan Village, Giwa LGA. The Command said the principal suspect remains at large as investigations continue to establish the wider network allegedly involved in the movement of the firearms.

The Police also arrested two suspected members of an arms and ammunition trafficking syndicate, Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar, following surveillance around the Giwa and Railway Station axes.

The suspects were allegedly found in possession of 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type-06 ammunition. The Command said investigations are ongoing to determine the source and intended destination of the ammunition and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.

Responding to a reported bandit attack in Gimi Ward, Makarfi LGA, police operatives, supported by local vigilantes, engaged the attackers in a gun duel after receiving a distress call on September 20.

One suspect, Usman Alhaji Dahiru, 20, was wounded and arrested. Police recovered a locally made rifle, a locally made pistol, three live cartridges, one live round of ammunition and a bag containing charms.

The Command also recovered a stolen Hyundai Elantra at New Panteka and arrested Hamza Yushau and Abdullahi Abdullahi, who were allegedly attempting to make a new key for the vehicle.

CP Rabiu said the suspects allegedly admitted purchasing the vehicle from Abdulkadir Yahaya of Zaria, who is currently at large, despite allegedly knowing that the vehicle had been stolen from Kwara State.

“The Command will continue to sustain pressure on criminal elements across Kaduna State while simultaneously strengthening mechanisms for intelligence gathering and timely response to emerging security threats,” the Commissioner said.

He identified intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, rapid response, covert surveillance, inter-agency cooperation and community partnership as the key pillars of the Command’s operational strategy.

CP Rabiu commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, PSC+, NPM, for his guidance and operational support, while also appreciating Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, CON, for what he described as continued logistical support to the Command.

The Commissioner equally praised police officers and men, local communities and vigilante groups for their contributions to intelligence gathering and security operations.

Assuring residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, CP Rabiu declared: “There will be no breathing space for criminals who seek to threaten the peace and security of our communities.”

He urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information about criminal activities through established police communication channels, assuring that such information would be treated confidentially and acted upon professionally.