Security operatives in Kaduna have arrested the notorious bandit leader, Mario Bagio, who has terrorised the citizens in both Kaduna and Katsina for many years.

The Kaduna Police Command said in a statement on Friday that on July 18, 2025, at about 0530 hours, acting on credible intelligence, a team of detectives led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, CSP Sani Zuntu, successfully tracked and arrested the notorious gang leader popularly known as Mati Bagio, 34-year-old male of Unguwan Galadima of Shika district, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

In a statement, police spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said, “The suspect is a notorious bandit leader who terrorised Kaduna and Katsina states along Giwa, Hunkuyi, faskari, Dandume and Funtua local governments areas,” stressing that “he has been on the run for the past eleven years, he was just apprehended at his residence, where a significant cache of arms and ammunition was recovered.”

The following arms and ammunition were said to have been recovered from the suspect: one AK-47 rifle, one fabricated AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, two English pistols, two AK-47 magazines, one LAR rifle magazine, four fabricated AK-47 butts, four AK-47 ammunition rounds, ten pump-action cartridges, eighty-seven pistol rounds, one machete, two torch lights, and one unjamming rod.

Hassan explained that “the arrest marks a significant milestone in the command’s efforts to rid the state of illegal arms and ensure the safety and security of its residents,” while pointing out that “the suspect is currently in police custody and undergoing further investigation, after which he will be charged in court.”

He added, “Also, efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing gang members.”

Meanwhile, the spokesman said, “In the same vein, on 17th July 2025, at about 0200hrs, a distress call was received from the Kaduna Command Control Room, reporting the snatching of a black Toyota Prado Jeep at gunpoint in Abuja. The vehicle was subsequently tracked and was located near Shema Filling Station in Unguwan Gwari, Kaduna.

“Upon the receipt of intelligence, a patrol and surveillance team from Kawo Division was immediately dispatched to the area. The location was swiftly cordoned off, and the stolen vehicle was successfully recovered. Unfortunately, the suspect fled the scene upon sighting the police team. The recovered vehicle has since been towed to the station for further investigation and will subsequently be handed over to the FCT police command, where the incident was initially reported.”

Hassan stressed further, “Also, on 15th July 2025, at about 1400hrs, following credible intelligence from a reliable source regarding the activities of suspected motorcycle thieves, a team of operatives led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit swung into action.

“They tracked down and arrested one Yusuf Yakubu of Amana Village, Abubakar Jibrin and Mustapha Aliyu at Anguwan Rimi, as well as Yunusa Yusuf from Kujama. The suspects specialise in attacking, maiming or killing cyclists and dispossessing them of their motorcycles. During the operation, two stolen motorcycles were successfully recovered. All suspects are currently in police custody as investigations continue to uncover other possible accomplices and to recover more stolen property.”

The spokesman said, “The Commissioner of Police, RABIU MUHAMMAD, commended the officers for their swift and timely response and also urged the public to continue cooperating with the police by providing credible information to aid the police in combating crime within the state.”