Police in Kaduna have neutralised notorious kidnappers, arrested 16 suspected terrorists, three suspected gunrunners, and recovered 190 stolen solar inverters valued at N69m during a series of operations carried out across the State in the last two weeks.

Besides, the State Police Command also recovered 190 solar inverters valued at about ₦69m, 10 lithium batteries worth approximately ₦9m, 10 firearms of different calibres, 170 counterfeit US dollar notes, 83 packs of hard drugs, 32 stolen mobile phones, two plasma television sets, a stolen Toyota Sienna vehicle and over 400 rustled cattle within the period under review.

While journalists at the Command Headquarters in Kaduna, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, said the operations underscored the command’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks threatening the peace and security of the state.

Muhammad explained, “Within the two weeks under review, the Kaduna State Police Command neutralised notorious kidnappers, arrested 16 suspected kidnappers, six suspects found in possession of 170 pieces of counterfeit dollar notes, three suspected gunrunners, recovered 10 firearms of different calibres, 190 solar inverters worth ₦69m, one stolen vehicle, 83 packs of hard drugs, 32 stolen phones, two plasma televisions and 410 cattle during various operations.”

The commissioner pointed out that one of the major breakthroughs followed the arrest of a 20-year-old woman, Aisha Barau, in Ramin Kura Village while allegedly attempting to exchange counterfeit US dollar notes for naira.

According to him, the suspect confessed that the fake currency had been supplied by Abdullahi Muhammad and Danbala Jibrin, leading to the arrest of other members of the syndicate.

“Further investigation led to the arrest of several other members of the syndicate. They will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.

Muhammad further disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, tracked and arrested three suspected gunrunners in Jos, Plateau State.

The suspects, identified as Luka Samuel, John Paul and Musa Elisha, were arrested with two locally fabricated pistols.

He said the suspects confessed to supplying arms and ammunition to bandits operating in parts of the North.

Meanwhile, in another operation, police operatives, working with members of the Yan Sa Kai vigilante group after months of surveillance, arrested one Abdullahi Mohammed, popularly known as “Aala”, at Kargi Village in Ikara Local Government Area.

The police commissioner said the suspect confessed to masterminding several kidnapping operations in Kuzuntu Village and other parts of Kano State.

“He also admitted participating in the killing of two Yan Sa Kai members during an attack carried out last year,” Muhammad said, adding that an AK-47 rifle and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect.

The command also recorded a major breakthrough against vehicle theft after recovering a Toyota Sienna stolen from the premises of a Juma’at Mosque in Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna.

Muhammad said detectives traced the vehicle to Zaria, where one Mohammed Shehu was arrested.

He added that the suspect’s confession led to the arrest of Zakari Abubakar, who allegedly specialised in producing duplicate vehicle keys for car theft syndicates.

The commissioner also said police foiled a cattle rustling operation in Damanko Village, Zaria Local Government Area, after armed rustlers attacked livestock owners.

According to him, responding patrol teams engaged the fleeing suspects in a gun duel, forcing them to abandon 80 cattle and 10 sheep before escaping into the bush.

He noted that two owners of the livestock sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and were receiving treatment.

Muhammad further disclosed that operatives acting on credible intelligence discovered a warehouse in Zaria where they recovered 190 solar inverters valued at about ₦69m and 10 lithium batteries worth about ₦9m.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the items were suspected to have been stolen from a container transporting the consignment to Zaria.

“The recovered items have been taken into police custody, while investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible, establish ownership and dismantle the criminal network behind the theft,” he said.

The commissioner also announced the arrest of two suspected suppliers of illicit drugs to bandits around Kasuwar Magani.

The suspects, Alex Odoh and Daniel Eze, were arrested with a large quantity of hard drugs worth millions of naira.

Muhammad said the suspects confessed to supplying hard drugs to bandits operating in the area, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other members of the network.

Commending the operatives for their bravery and professionalism, the commissioner reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining the fight against criminality.

He said, “The Kaduna State Police Command has been working assiduously to ensure that the state is safer for all citizens. We work in conjunction with other security agencies, including the military, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, vigilantes and other stakeholders.”

Muhammad appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence, assuring them that the command would sustain ongoing operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements and safeguarding lives and property across Kaduna State.