Police kill bandits, arrest gunrunners in Kaduna raid

The Kaduna State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its fight against banditry and illegal arms proliferation, neutralising several suspected bandits and recovering no fewer than 30 firearms in coordinated operations across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this during a press briefing in Kaduna on Monday, detailing successes recorded within the last two weeks.

Muhammad said the operations were part of sustained intelligence-led offensives targeting bandits’ camps and criminal hideouts in Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi and Kauru Local Government Areas.

According to him, several camps were dislodged during fierce gun battles between operatives and the hoodlums, leading to the neutralisation of some suspects, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

“As a result of these operations, several suspected notorious bandits were arrested, and five gunrunners were apprehended. A significant cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered,” the CP said.

Items recovered, he said, included three English-made AK-47 rifles, 21 fabricated firearms, one SMG rifle, two English-made pistols and four locally fabricated pistols.

He added that a large quantity of hard drugs suspected to have been supplied to criminal elements was also seized during the raids.

In a related development, the police said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested one Adamu Aminu of Jaji Town in Igabi Local Government Area on February 20 at about 9 pm.

Muhammad said the suspect was found in possession of six fabricated AK-47 rifles, three fabricated revolver rifles, two fabricated pistols and seven English-made AK-47 magazines.

“One black Wellco boot was also recovered from the suspect. Preliminary investigations indicate that he is involved in illegal arms fabrication and supply, thereby fuelling criminal activities within and beyond Kaduna State,” he said.

The CP further disclosed that another suspect, Abubakar Hassan of Unguwar Rogo in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, was arrested in connection with the case.

Muhammad said investigations were ongoing to dismantle the syndicate, trace the distribution network of the recovered arms and ensure that all those involved were brought to justice.

Similarly, the police intercepted three suspects in Kasuwan Magani on February 17 in connection with an alleged illegal arms transaction.

The suspects, identified as Peter Pama and Saleh Monday, both of Iburu, and Sunday Makama of Kasuwan Magani, were allegedly found with a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun.

“These achievements underscore our commitment to proactive, intelligence-driven policing and our resolve to cut the supply chain of illegal arms fuelling violent crimes in the state,” Muhammad stated.

He reiterated that the Kaduna State Police Command would not relent in its determination to dismantle criminal networks, while commending the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his leadership and strategic guidance.

culled from punch