Security operatives in Kaduna have intensified their operations against armed robbery and terrorist gangs, arresting several suspects and recovering an array of firearms and stolen vehicles across the state.
The Kaduna State Police Command described the recent arrests as significant breakthroughs in the ongoing battle against violent crime and insecurity.
According to a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, police on October 18, 2025, intercepted a suspected arms courier, 28-year-old MurtalaUsman, at Karau-Karau in Giwa Local Council. Usman, of Galadimawa, Kidandan, Giwa, was found in possession of a brand new AK-47 rifle and 200 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, allegedly on his way to supply bandits operating in the region.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed to having transported AK-47 rifles to Kidandan on four occasions over the past four months,” Hassan said. “He revealed that he received the rifles from an unnamed source and delivered them to bandits in the area.” Investigations into the arms trafficking network are ongoing as police seek to identify and apprehend additional collaborators.
Police operations also extended to the Southern part of Kaduna, where officers in Kafanchan Area Command responded to a robbery incident at a bakery on October 19, 2025. The suspect, 28-year-old Usman Shuaibu, armed with an AK-47 rifle, allegedly attempted to rob workers at the bakery. According to police, Shuaibu fired at responding officers, injuring a passerby, Mohammed Abdumumin, before being subdued with the help of local residents.
Recovered from the scene were an AK-47 rifle, traced to a previous bandit attack on Inspector Ibrahim Nawa in 2019, four rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and forty-three rounds of 9mm pistol ammunition.
In another operation, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Hunkuyi Division, in collaboration with local vigilantes, recovered 11 suspected rustled cattle within Kudan Local Council. Police say investigations are ongoing to identify the owners and apprehend the cattle rustlers.
On October 15, 2025, police in Dan Magaji Division, Zaria, acted on intelligence about suspicious activity in Gwargwaje area. As officers approached, two suspects attempted to flee and opened fire on the police. The operatives responded, overpowering the suspects with what the police described as “superior firepower.” One suspect, 21-year-old SadiqIdris of Kumbotso, Kano State, was apprehended with an English pistol, five rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a pump-action gun.
Further interrogation led police to the hideout of another suspect, UsmanAminu, 21, of Panshekara, Kano, from whom nine rounds of 9mm ammunition were recovered.
Follow-up investigations resulted in the arrest of AbdulazizUsman (25), JibrenYahaya, HajaraAbdulkarim (20), and Fatima Alhassan (18), with various weapons and evidence seized.
On October 14, 2025, officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit acted on a tip-off and arrested YakubuAdamu of Izzam Village, Igabi Local Council, for alleged possession of a fabricated AK-47 rifle. Police say investigations are ongoing to identify accomplices and trace the source of the weapon.
The police also reported the recovery of multiple stolen vehicles following a distress call from a resident of KofanDoka, Zaria. The victim, AbdullahiHabibu, alleged that his Honda Accord was stolen after being lured to the suspect’s house. Prompt response led to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of the vehicle, as well as two Golf Wagon cars found in Wudil, Kano State, and Kaduna.
