The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects, comprising eight suspected kidnappers and four alleged informants, and recovered AK-47 rifles during intensified security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido.
The command also disclosed that the Kaduna State Government had released three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers to strengthen police operations and tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the affected communities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the operations were being conducted in collaboration with other security agencies through clearance exercises, targeted raids and patrols.
Hassan said the command had intensified its operations in response to recent security challenges in the affected communities, adding that efforts were underway to dismantle criminal networks and apprehend those suspected of supporting their activities.
The eight suspected kidnappers were identified as Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu.
The four suspected informants were identified as Shuaibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew.
The command expressed concern over the alleged activities of individuals suspected of supplying kidnappers with intelligence on security movements and operations, describing such information leaks as a serious threat to efforts to combat crime.
“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 security personnel and residents,” the statement said.
However, the police did not identify the two suspects who allegedly confessed to leaking operational information or provide further details about the recovered rifles.
The command said investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement, identify other accomplices, and bring all those connected to the criminal activities to justice.
In a related development, the command said the state government had released three additional APCs to boost security operations in Millennium City and surrounding communities.
According to the statement, the government approved the deployment of the armoured vehicles in response to security challenges in the area and its environs, with a view to strengthening the command’s operational capacity.
The police said the additional equipment would support ongoing efforts to tackle criminal activities and assured residents that clearance operations targeting suspected criminal hideouts would continue.
“The command assures the residents that clearance operations of criminal hideouts will be sustained to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their activities, and facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims,” the statement added.
The police also disclosed that a government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Malam Sani Kila, alongside other security chiefs, met with traditional rulers, community members and other stakeholders in the affected areas on October 10 to discuss the security situation.
The meeting, according to the statement, focused on strengthening cooperation among residents, community leaders, the government and security agencies to address the growing threat of kidnapping.
During the engagement, Kila reportedly emphasised the need for collective action to maintain peace and public safety.
“He reiterated that security is a collective responsibility and urged residents, community leaders, landlords, and youth groups to promptly report individuals suspected of aiding or abetting criminal activities and to continue supporting security agencies in their efforts to maintain peace and public safety,” the statement said.
The command stressed that credible information from residents was vital to identifying suspected collaborators of criminal gangs and preventing further attacks.
It also acknowledged the geographical challenges facing security operations in Millennium City, noting that the community was largely surrounded by forested areas on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis.
Against this backdrop, the Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station.
Rabiu also ordered the immediate deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles, and other security resources to the affected communities to strengthen the ongoing operations.
The statement said the deployment was intended to “intensify surveillance, improve response times, and prevent further criminal activities.”
The commissioner appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information to assist efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across the state, assuring residents that security operations would be sustained.
It urged members of the public to remain vigilant and support efforts to apprehend suspected criminals and their alleged collaborators.