The Kaduna State Police Command has arrest 29 suspects and the recovery of firearms, stolen vehicles, and large quantities of hard drugs in a two-week operation aimed at curbing violent crime in the state.
Commissioner of Police Muhammad Rabiu, addressing journalists in Kaduna, said the operations were carried out through intelligence-led policing and collaboration with other security agencies and members of the public.
According to the Command, 12 suspected kidnappers, 13 suspects linked to culpable homicide, and four suspected car snatchers were arrested between late May and mid-June 2026. Four stolen vehicles were also recovered.
In one major operation on June 5, operatives tracked six suspected bandits to Sagamu, Ogun State, following intelligence on the movement of illicit firearms across state lines.
The suspects — Bukar Bulama, Abubakar Mohammad, Mohammad Usman, Ibrahim Sani, Aliyu Usman, and Dan Bello Umaru — were arrested in a forest hideout. Police recovered two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, one fabricated pistol, 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and four cartridges.
The suspects have since been transferred to Kaduna for further investigation and prosecution.
On 28 May, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Zaria arrested Yahya Alhaji Yusuf for alleged involvement in banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and armed robbery.
Yusuf reportedly confessed to kidnapping two victims along the Buruku axis and collecting a ransom of N6 million. An AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.
In a separate case, police arrested Usama Tijjani for allegedly luring women to hotels under false pretences, having sexual intercourse with them, and stealing their phones and jewellery.
Tijjani allegedly confessed to deceiving over 200 women. Recovered from him were gold jewellery valued at over N30 million and 20 mobile phones suspected to be proceeds of crime.
On 11 June, a joint police team led by CSP Sani Ibrahim Zuntu raided Katuga Unguwar Ruwa Village in Kagarko LGA and arrested 13 suspects in connection with the killing of Isiyaka Bijimi and Mercy Danladi.
The killings were linked to allegations of witchcraft and led to communal violence in the area. Those arrested include Comfort Emmanuel, Ayuba Jatau, Daniel Enoch, and 10 others.
The Command also intercepted two suspected drug dealers, Jamilu Ahmed and Mubarak Ibrahim, on 10 June in Zaria.
The suspects were found with 2,700 sachets of Tramadol and confessed to operating within Zaria metropolis.
In vehicle theft cases, police arrested Shamsudeen Usman of Maiduguri on June 3 for stealing a Golf III Station Wagon in Makera, Kakuri, Kaduna. The vehicle was recovered along the Kaduna-Abuja Road.
Three other suspects — Shehu Muhammed, Abubakar Musa, and Adamu Manu — were arrested on 4 June while attempting to sell a stolen Toyota Corolla LE in Kaduna.
Separately, a Hyundai Sonata stolen on May 27 at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, was recovered after suspects abandoned it while fleeing from police operatives.
CP Rabiu said the achievements reflect the Command’s commitment to denying criminals space to operate in Kaduna State.
He thanked Inspector-General of Police Olantunji Rilwan Disu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for their support, and acknowledged the public for providing credible information.
The Commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and partner with the police, and appealed to the judiciary to allow the public parade of suspects arrested with exhibits to aid crime prevention and public awareness.
