The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects, including eight kidnappers and four informants, and recovered AK-47 rifles in operations targeting criminal hideouts in Millennium City and Maraban Rido.
The command said the arrests followed intensified clearance operations, targeted raids and patrols in collaboration with other security agencies, in response to recent security challenges in the affected areas.
In a Monday statement, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, DSP Mansir Hassan, identified the suspected kidnappers as Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu.
The suspected informants were identified as Shuaibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew.
Hassan said AK-47 rifles were recovered during the operations.
He said the command is particularly concerned about individuals suspected of supplying kidnappers with intelligence on security movements.
According to him, preliminary investigations indicate that two of the suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information about police operations to criminal elements, thereby undermining security efforts and endangering the lives of personnel and residents.
“Investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement, identify other accomplices, and bring all those connected to the criminal activities to justice,” the statement reads in part.
The police said the state government, after due consideration, has released three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the command to strengthen operational capacity in Millennium City and its suburbs.
Hassan said the command would sustain clearance operations to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their activities and facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims.
He added that on October 10 a high-powered government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Malam Sani Kila, and other security chiefs held an engagement meeting with traditional rulers, community members and stakeholders of the affected areas.
During the meeting, the Chief of Staff reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged residents, community leaders, landlords and youth groups to report individuals suspected of aiding criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, noting that Millennium City is largely surrounded by forested areas and lies within the outskirts of the metropolis, urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements to the nearest police station.
He also ordered immediate deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources to intensify surveillance and improve response times.
The commissioner called on members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative by providing credible and timely information to assist the fight against kidnapping and other crimes.
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