How Police burst criminal hideouts, arrest 375 hoodlums in Kaduna

By Femi Oyelola

It is no longer business as usual for criminals hibernating in some black spots within Kaduna metropolis and its environs, especially the dreaded gangster known as “Sara Suka,” operating within the city centre, as the Kaduna state Police Command recently took the battle to their hideouts and arrested 375 hoodlums in a swoop operation
The giant strides of the police operatives also led to the recovery of dangerous items which includes illicit drugs, 57 bags of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp equivalent to 171kg, mobile phones, sharp knives, scissors, cudgels, master keys, vehicles and motorcycles of different brands. The raid was sequel to public outcry the nefarious activities of the criminal elements in the areas.
Recall that Weekend Peoples Daily had penultimate week published a report on how urban gangsters was fast becoming a fresh security challenge even when the state is still battling with banditry and the likes.
Parading the suspects on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at the Command headquarters, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) Kaduna Command, DSP Mohammed Jalige, said the operation followed directives of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, for the immediate lunch of manhunt on bandits and other perpetrators of crimes within the Command.
The DSP added that the Command also organized the raids on the hideout of these hoodlums with a view to having a crime free society where law abiding citizens would be allowed to go about their lawful businesses without fear of being molested or intimidated from any quarters.
Addressing newsmen at the Police Command, the state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, commended the efforts of the gallant officers, saying the operations were in line with the State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i’s determination to rid Kaduna free from criminals and ensure there is no hiding places for them.
Aruwan said the State Government will ensure that those arrested are prosecuted and sentenced when found guilty, to serve as a deterrent to others.
He warned criminals to relocate from Kaduna because it will become inhabitable for them; assuring that the exercise would be continuous with support from the State Government to the police and other security operatives to push out criminals from the Crocodile city.
Continuing, DSP Jalige said some of the suspects have already been charged to court while others are undergoing discreet investigation and upon completion, they will also be charged in a court of competent jurisdiction.
He disclosed that some miscreants have adopted a new modus operandi in disposing law abiding citizens of their valuables by spraying a substance suspected to be acid on their victims, especially in Malali and Badarawa in Kaduna North Local government Area, saying they have been arrested and currently undergoing investigation.
He reiterated the Command’s commitment towards ensuring the security and safety of the good people of the State.
The Command’s Spokesman thanked residents of the State for their untiring support without which the successes and achievements would not have been recorded and also urged them not to relent as security is everybody’s business.
Speaking to our Correspondent during the parading, a suspect, Amina Mohammed, 16, said she only smokes Indian hemp with her lover, oblivious that he is a member of a gang who specializes in snatching handsets and housebreaking.
Narrating how she was apprehended, Amina said she was arrested in Barkallahu, a community in Igabi Local Government Area.
Another female suspect, Fatimah Abubakar, 20, was also arrested in Barkallahu community, while having good times with some friends at about 12:45am.
When asked what she was doing outside at that odd hour, she blamed the Devil for pushing her out at that time.
Similarly, a suspect, Habila Aliyu, promised to turn a new leaf if he is let off the hook. He said he regretted his misdeeds and the shame this has brought to the family, especially his mother who has tried everything humanly possible for him to become responsible in life.
Elated Kaduna residents see this development as some setback to gangsters and criminal activities in the metropolitan city, urging the police to keep up the good job.
Mallam Ibrahim Yunusa, a resident of Rikachukun in Igabi LGA, said residents of the area and Barkallahu community had come under siege through the activities of these gangsters which has led to loss of lives.
He therefore lauded the giant strides of the security operatives, but prayed that justice should be meted to the guilty ones because the “boys” are known to always be boasting in the community that they would be back soon even if arrested.
In the same vein, Alhaji Shehu Ladan, of Hayin Damani also in Igabi LGA, said he wondered why it took the security operatives so long even when the black spots are well known. He however said it was better to be late than never.
Mr. Edward Moses, a resident of Halima Junction, Sabo Tasha in Chikun LGA, called for a robust operation along another black spot in the area known as “Black Street” because the “boys” are even threatening to vest their anger on any citizen suspected to be against their activities.
Speaking in the same vein, Mr. Haruna Damishi, of Ungwar Maisamari, in Kaduna North LGA, said the community is becoming a hub for criminals who are fleeing from the raids in Badarawa, Kwaru, and Ungwar Yero communities.
He therefore urged security operatives to be proactive with its operations within the communities.
The general views of Kaduna residents is that the security operatives, especially the Police have finally woken up to their responsibility, and the citizens soon would be able to sleep with their two eyes closed.
They therefore called on the government to support the security operatives with all the needed logistics to enable them take the fight deeper into the criminals’ den and bring more holldulums to justice.