Kaduna Police neutralize kidnappers, arrest 16 suspects, recover N78m worth of solar equipment in 2 weeks

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command says it has neutralized notorious kidnappers and arrested 16 suspects over the past two weeks as part of ongoing efforts to reduce crime across the state.
This was disclosed on Monday by the Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP Rabiu Muhammad, during a press briefing with journalists in Kaduna.
CP Muhammad mentioned that the Command also arrested three suspected gunrunners, six suspects with 170 counterfeit dollar notes, and recovered 10 firearms of various calibers, one stolen vehicle, 83 packages of hard drugs, 32 stolen phones, two plasma televisions, and 410 cattle during different operations.
He further revealed that officers recovered 190 solar inverters worth N69 million and 10 lithium batteries valued at N9 million, suspected to have been stolen from a container in transit to Zaria.
In more detail, the CP said that on July 21, 2026, police detained Aisha Barau, 20, of Ramin Kura Village for possessing suspected counterfeit US dollar notes.
“During interrogation, she confessed that the counterfeit currency was given to her by Abdullahi Muhammad, 55, and Danbala Jibrin, 57, both of Ramin Kura Village, for conversion into Nigerian currency.
Further investigation led to the arrest of several other members of the syndicate,” he stated.
On July 25, 2026, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on reliable intelligence, arrested three suspected gunrunners in Jos, Plateau State.
They were identified as Luka Samuel, 38, John Paul, 37, and Musa Elisha, 28.
“Two locally fabricated pistols were recovered from them.
“On interrogation, they admitted to supplying arms and ammunition to bandits,” CP Muhammad explained.
Another operation on July 24, 2026, saw a combined team from Anchau Division and members of Yan Sa Kai arrest Abdullahi Mohammed, also known as ‘Aala,’ 34, on the outskirts of Kargi Village.
“The suspect confessed to being one of the masterminds behind multiple kidnapping incidents in Kuzuntu Village, Ikara LGA, and other parts of Kano State.
He also admitted to participating in the killing of two Yan Sa Kai members last year. One AK-47 rifle and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered,” the CP added.
The Command also recovered a stolen Toyota Sienna on July 24 after it was snatched from a Juma’at Mosque in Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna.
It added that the vehicle was traced to Zaria, where Mohammed Shehu was arrested.
Police said his confession led to the arrest of Zakari Abubakar, who specializes in creating duplicate vehicle keys.
“On July 26, 2026, patrol teams from Kofan Gayan Division engaged suspected bandits and cattle rustlers who attacked Damanko Village in Zaria LGA.
“The superior firepower of the police forced the criminals to abandon 80 cattle and 10 sheep and flee into the bush. Unfortunately, the two owners of the livestock sustained gunshot injuries and are receiving medical treatment,” CP Muhammad stated.
He added that on July 28, 2026, operatives from the Anti-Car Theft section discovered a store in Zaria where 190 solar inverters valued at N69 million and 10 lithium batteries worth N9 million were recovered.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that these items were stolen from a container headed to Zaria during transit,” he noted.
Also, on July 31, 2026, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Alex Odoh, 36, and Daniel Eze, 35, for allegedly supplying hard drugs to bandits operating around Kasuwar Magani. A large quantity of drugs worth millions of naira was recovered.
Commending the bravery of his team, CP Rabiu Muhammad reaffirmed the Command’s dedication to tackling criminal elements that threaten peace in Kaduna State.
“The Kaduna State Police Command has been working tirelessly to make the state safer for everyone.
“We collaborate closely with other security agencies, the military, DSS, NSCDC, vigilantes, and many others,” he said.
He urged the public to continue providing quick and reliable intelligence to the police.
“The Command remains committed to dismantling criminal networks and keeping the state safe for all,” the Commissioner concluded.