Security operatives kill terrorist in Kaduna abduction attempt, recover arms, ammunition

Security operatives yesterday killed a terrorist during a gun duel with bandits in a foiled kidnap attempt in Kaduna State.The Police also arrested three suspected armed robbers, three gun runners, and recovered one locally fabricated pistol, one English made pistol and 216 rounds of 9mm live ammunition with one round of 7.62x39mm.

Confirming the development in a statement, spokesperson for Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan explained what happened.He said that on December 10, at about 5:00a.m., the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Damakasuwa received credible intelligence regarding an attack by suspected bandits on residents in the Tudu Gishere area.

Acting swiftly, the DPO mobilised a team of officers and personnel from the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to respond to the situation.

He said: “Upon arrival at the scene, they engaged the bandits in a fierce gunfight. In the process, one unidentified bandit was neutralised, while the remaining suspects fled into the surrounding bushes with gunshot wounds.”

Also, he stated that a surveillance team deployed from “the Kasuwan Mata Police Division, following credible information, conducted a successful operation in a brothel located on Nupe Street, in the Kasuwan Mata area of Zaria, during which 35-year-old Adamu Yahaya was arrested.”

According to him, when the police conducted a thorough search on the robbery suspect, a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridge, and a pair of handcuffs were discovered in his possession. Hassan added that preliminary investigations have commenced, while the suspect is in police custody, where he is cooperating with further inquiries.

Similarly, he said on December 8, at about 10:30p.m., a patrol team from Barnawa Division, while conducting a stop-and-search operation, intercepted two suspects identified as Andrew Emmanuel, male, resident of Gbagyi Villa, Kaduna and Mendwas Peter Bulus, male, resident of Television Village, Kaduna.

“During the search, the following items were recovered from them; one service pistol, two Infinix phones and some quantities of dry leaves suspected to be Cannabis sativa.

“The suspects confessed to being armed robbers operating within Kaduna. Further investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of their activities and identify any accomplices.

“Also, on December 9, 2024, acting on intelligence, the police surveillance team attached to Dan Magaji Division, observed three individuals behaving suspiciously along the Kano-Kaduna expressway”.

“Upon interrogation, the suspects provided unsatisfactory responses, prompting a thorough search. “During the search, officers discovered 216 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one round of 7.62x39mm live ammunition in their possession,” Hassan said.

The suspects, he added, have been identified as: Buhari Suleiman, male, of Labar Road, Jaji, Kaduna, Jamil Yakubu, male, of Dungun Sambo, Dandume, Katsina State and Aliyu Abdullahi, male, of Tushen, Jaji, Kaduna.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that Jamil Yakubu had previously purchased 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition a week before.

“He travelled from Katsina to procure additional rounds from Buhari Suleiman when the transaction was intercepted by the Police,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Abdullahi has commended the officers for their successful operations, and urged the public to continue providing the Police with credible information to help the continuous fight against crimes throughout the state.
Photo and caption: CP Ibrahim Abdullahi