The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 17 suspects in connection with armed robbery, kidnapping, and arms trafficking across various parts of the state.
The arrests, according to a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, were the result of intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks operating in Kaduna and neighbouring states.
The police also recovered eight locally made firearms, 16 cartridges, three vehicles, and a motorcycle during the raids.
One of the suspects, Nura Auwal, was arrested in connection with a robbery that occurred on June 30, 2025, when a commercial motorcyclist, Ismail Bello, was attacked and stabbed near LEA Primary School, Unguwan Gwari. Bello, 40, was stabbed in the head and stomach, and his motorcycle was taken. Police said the stolen bike was recovered and Auwal is in custody awaiting prosecution.
In a separate incident, two men—Sanusi Bala of Zamfara State and Nura Bala of Zaria—were apprehended on June 19 at Kano Road, Kaduna, while attempting to rob a tricycle rider. Hassan said both suspects confessed to being members of a syndicate known for targeting commercial tricycle operators. Their arrest led police to identify Jamilu Zurmi, based in Zamfara, as a key receiver of stolen tricycles.
Further investigations resulted in the recovery of three suspected getaway vehicles: two dark blue Golf III Wagons (one unregistered and one bearing plate number ABC-152-AL) and a green Golf III Wagon (ABJ-900-RE). Hassan noted that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices connected to the group.
On June 4, police also arrested five suspects allegedly involved in cross-border robbery. The individuals—Ahmed Umar, Isah Musa, Zailani Sa’adu, Abdulrahman Mukhtar, and Ibrahim Bala—were accused of invading a home in Ungwan Sanusi, Kaduna, and stealing a Toyota Corolla and other valuables. Investigators later traced the vehicle to Alhaji Garba Yaro, a suspected trafficker based in Maradi, Niger Republic, who remains at large.
“Yaro is believed to be a major receiver of stolen vehicles and is linked to transnational criminal operations,” Hassan said.
On July 7, anti-kidnapping officers acting on credible intelligence raided Kwatakore, near Nasarawan Doya in Makarfi Local Government Area, and arrested three suspects—Rabilu Lawal, Sirajo Shuaibu, and Shehu Sarki. Two locally made guns and two cartridges were recovered. Hassan said the trio is suspected of being behind the kidnapping of a local resident’s wife.
In another operation on July 11, police in Makarfi arrested four individuals suspected of fabricating illegal firearms. Those arrested—Hassan Ibrahim, Murtala Yakubu, Shuaibu Abubakar, and Ismail Shuaibu—were allegedly operating out of Giroji village. Police recovered three locally made rifles, unfinished gun components, 14 cartridges, five live T.06 rounds, and various fabrication tools.
“All the suspects remain in custody and investigations are ongoing to build cases for prosecution,” Hassan added.
