Kaduna Police smash arms ring, foil kidnapping, recover ammunition

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has foiled a kidnapping attempt, arrested two suspected arms dealers, and seized 300 rounds of live ammunition along with three firearms during separate security operations across the state.

The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, announced the breakthroughs on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu.

According to the police, operatives responded to a distress call regarding an armed bandit attack on a resident in Gimi Ward, Makarfi Local Government Area.

Officers from the Makarfi Division, working alongside local vigilantes, engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing the gang to flee into the surrounding bush.

One suspect, 20-year-old Usman Alhaji Dahiru, sustained gunshot wounds and was arrested at the scene.

Operatives recovered a locally made rifle loaded with three live cartridges, a locally made pistol with one live round, and a bag containing charms.

In a separate operation, officers from the Gwantu Division arrested Jude Magaji at Ungwan Asibiti after receiving community reports that he was brandishing a locally fabricated pistol to intimidate residents.

The weapon was seized, and investigations are ongoing to determine its origin and whether it was used in prior crimes.

Additionally, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit intercepted an arms trafficking syndicate operating around Giwa Local Government Area and the Kaduna Railway Station corridor.

The operation led to the arrest of two suspects, Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar. A search yielded 270 live rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 live rounds of type 06 ammunition, bringing the total recovery to 300 rounds.

CP Rabiu commended the officers and community vigilantes for their swift action and bravery, reassuring residents that the command will intensify its operations to dismantle criminal networks across Kaduna State.