Kaduna Police Arrest 12 Suspects Over Kidnapping, Recover AK-47 Rifles

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects, including eight alleged kidnappers and four suspected informants, during security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido.

The command also announced the deployment of three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) provided by the Kaduna State Government to strengthen operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities in the affected communities.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the operations involved clearance exercises, targeted raids and patrols conducted in collaboration with other security agencies.

The eight suspected kidnappers were identified as Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu.

The four alleged informants were identified as Shuaibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew.

According to the police, preliminary investigations suggested that some suspects had allegedly supplied criminal groups with information about security operations.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that two of the suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information about police operations to criminal elements, thereby undermining security efforts and endangering the lives of security personnel and residents,” the statement said.

The command did not identify the two suspects who allegedly confessed or provide further details about the recovered firearms.

Police said investigations were ongoing to establish the extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement, identify other accomplices and bring those connected to the crimes to justice.

In a related development, the command said the state government had released three additional APCs to improve security operations in Millennium City and neighbouring communities.

The vehicles are expected to support surveillance, strengthen police response and facilitate operations against suspected criminal hideouts.

The statement added, “The command assures the residents that clearance operations of criminal hideouts will be sustained to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their activities, and facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims.”

The police also disclosed that a government delegation led by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Malam Sani Kila, met traditional rulers, residents and other stakeholders in the affected communities on October 10 to discuss the security situation.

During the meeting, Kila called for greater cooperation between residents, community leaders, government officials and security agencies.

“He reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged residents, community leaders, landlords, and youth groups to promptly report individuals suspected of aiding or abetting criminal activities and to continue supporting security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and public safety,” the statement said.

The command noted that the forested areas surrounding Millennium City presented geographical challenges for security operations and urged residents to provide credible information to help identify suspected collaborators of criminal gangs.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, directed the immediate deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources to the affected communities.

The statement said the deployment was intended to “intensify surveillance, improve response times, and prevent further criminal activities.”

Rabiu urged residents to remain calm, report suspicious movements to the nearest police station and cooperate with security agencies.

The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Kaduna State, adding that operations against kidnapping and other criminal activities would continue.