In a major crackdown against criminal activities in Northern Nigeria, the Kaduna State Police Command has successfully apprehended two men accused of supplying arms and ammunition to ruthless kidnappers operating across Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara states. The arrests of the criminal syndicates were made on Saturday.
The suspects, identified as Dahiru Liman (47) and Sani Abdullahi Makeri (45), were caught red-handed with a fabricated AK-47 rifle and five rounds of 9mm live ammunition. These dangerous weapons were intended to fuel the activities of kidnapping rings terrorizing innocent citizens in the affected states. Both men are residents of Kaduna and Katsina states, respectively.
According to a statement released on Sunday by Mansir Hassan, the police spokesperson in Kaduna, these arrests are part of a broader operation aimed at dismantling criminal networks in the region. The operation’s success is a significant step forward in the fight against insecurity in Northern Nigeria, where kidnapping for ransom has become an alarming trend.
In a related development, the police also arrested two suspects involved in attempted kidnapping and cattle rustling in the Kasuwan Magani area of Kajuru LGA, Kaduna State. The suspects, Aminu Saleh (25) and Jafar Ibrahim (24), were found to have rustled cattle from local farmers, further exacerbating the challenges faced by rural communities.
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During intense interrogations, the suspects confessed to their crimes, revealing that they were part of a larger syndicate with four other members currently on the run. The police are actively pursuing these fugitives, with a renewed determination to bring them to justice.
Adding to the series of recent successes, the Kaduna Police Command foiled a kidnapping plot on August 22, 2024. Shafiu Abdullahi, a resident of the region, reported to Operation Fushin Kada that he had received threatening phone calls demanding N10 million. The callers warned that he would be kidnapped if the ransom was not paid.
Acting swiftly, the Tracking and Response Team deployed advanced techniques to track down and apprehend the suspects. The operation led to the arrest of Umar Baso, Shehu Filani, and Babangida Abdulkarim, all of whom are residents of Soba and Kajuru LGAs in Kaduna State. The suspects provided detailed confessions during interrogation, shedding light on their criminal activities.
The Kaduna State Police Command has assured that they will continue to intensify its efforts to combat crime and ensure the safety of its citizens. According to the force, recent arrests underscore the police’s commitment to tackling the menace of kidnapping, arms trafficking, and cattle rustling that have plagued the region.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities, as the fight against crime requires the cooperation of all stakeholders. The Kaduna Police Command reassures the public that it will leave no stone unturned in its quest to bring all criminals to justice.
