Police arrest 12 suspects over kidnapping, recover AK-47 rifles in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects, including eight alleged kidnappers and four suspected informants, during intensified security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido, following renewed security challenges in the areas.

The operations also led to the recovery of AK-47 rifles, as security agencies step up efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks and prevent suspected collaborators from leaking sensitive operational information to criminal groups.

The Police said preliminary investigations indicated that two of the suspects allegedly admitted to providing criminal elements with information about Police movements and operations, compromising security efforts and exposing security personnel and residents to danger.

The arrested suspects identified as suspected kidnappers are Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu.

The four suspected informants are Shuaibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew.

The Kaduna State Police Command disclosed the arrests in a statement issued on Monday by Mansir Hassan, its Police Public Relations Officer, adding that investigations were ongoing to establish the extent of the suspects’ involvement, identify other accomplices and bring those found culpable to justice.

As part of efforts to strengthen security in the affected communities, the Kaduna State Government has released three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the police command to boost operational capacity and support ongoing security operations.

The command said it would sustain clearance operations, targeted raids and patrols aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts, disrupting kidnapping networks and facilitating the rescue of abducted victims.

It also announced the deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources to the affected areas to improve surveillance, reduce response times and prevent further criminal activities.

The latest measures followed a stakeholders’ engagement held on October 10, when a government delegation led by Sani Kila, Chief of Staff to the Kaduna State governor, met with traditional rulers, community members and other stakeholders from the affected areas.

During the meeting, Kila stressed the need for collective action to tackle insecurity and urged residents, community leaders, landlords and youth groups to report individuals suspected of supporting or facilitating criminal activities.

The Police said the geographical location of Millennium City, which is surrounded by forested areas on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis, presents additional security challenges requiring increased vigilance and cooperation from residents.

Muhammad Rabiu, the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant and provide credible, timely information that could assist security agencies in combating kidnapping and other crimes.

The Command assured residents that it remained committed to protecting lives and property across the state, urging members of the public to report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station.