JUST IN: NOTORIOUS BANDIT KINGPIN ARRESTED IN KADUNA AFTER DECADE ON THE RUN

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By: Sefiu Ajape

The Kaduna State Police Command on Friday confirmed the arrest of a notorious bandit kingpin who had evaded capture for over ten years, along with three suspected motorcycle thieves apprehended in separate operations across the state.

During the crackdown, police recovered a collection of advanced firearms, ammunition, a stolen Toyota Prado SUV, and two motorcycles.

The arrested bandit, identified as 34-year-old Mati Bagio from Unguwan Galadima in the Shika District of Giwa Local Government Area, was reportedly the leader of a gang responsible for a string of violent attacks and criminal activities in Kaduna and Katsina States.

According to a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, Bagio was captured by officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by CSP Sani Zuntu, following credible intelligence.

He said Bagio had been on the police wanted list for 11 years for alleged involvement in multiple attacks in Giwa, Hunkuyi, Faskari, Dandume, and Funtua Local Government Areas spanning both Kaduna and Katsina States.

Motorcycles recovered from the criminals by the Kaduna State Police Command. Photo: Kaduna State Police Command

According to Hassan, the suspect was arrested at his residence where police operatives recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition.

“On 18th July 2025, at about 0530 hours, acting on credible intelligence, a team of detectives led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit CSP Sani Zuntu, successfully tracked and arrested a notorious gang leader popularly known as Mati Bagio 34-year-old male of Unguwan Galadima of Shika district, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

“The suspect, is a notorious bandit leader who terrorized Kaduna and Katsina states along Giwa, Hunkuyi, faskari, Dandume and Funtua local governments Areas, he has been on the run for the past eleven years, he was just apprehended at his residence, where a significant cache of arms and ammunition was recovered,” he added.

Items recovered from the suspect, he said, include: “One AK-47 rifle; One fabricated AK-47 rifle; One pump-action gun; Two English pistols; two AK-47 magazines; two LAR rifle magazines; four fabricated AK-47 butts; four AK-47 live ammunition rounds; ten pump-action cartridges; eighty-seven rounds of pistol ammunition; one machete; two torchlights; one unjamming rod

“The arrest of this notorious bandit marks a significant milestone in the Command’s relentless efforts to rid Kaduna of violent criminals and illegal arms proliferation,” Hassan added..

He noted that Bagio remained in custody as investigations continue, with the police intensifying efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of his gang.

In a separate operation, the police said a stolen Toyota Prado SUV snatched at gunpoint in Abuja was recovered in Kaduna on July 17, 2025.

The recovery followed a distress call from the Kaduna Command Control Room, which had tracked the vehicle to the vicinity of Shema Filling Station in Unguwan Gwari, Kaduna.

“Upon receiving the intelligence, a patrol and surveillance team from Kawo Division was swiftly mobilised to the location. The area was cordoned off, and the stolen vehicle was recovered,” the police spokesman said.

He, however, the suspect reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled on sighting the police.

According to him, the recovered SUV is now in police custody pending its transfer to the FCT Police Command, where the car theft was first reported.

Similarly, the police chief said on July 15, 2025, at about 2:00 pm, detectives also apprehended three suspected motorcycle thieves said to specialise in attacking and dispossessing commercial motorcyclists.

The SUV recovered from the criminals by the Kaduna State Police Command. Photo: Kaduna State Police Command

Hassan identified the suspects as Yusuf Yakubu of Amana Village, Abubakar Jibrin and Mustapha Aliyu of Unguwan Rimi, and Yunusa Yusuf from Kujama — were arrested following actionable intelligence.

He said during the raid, the police recovered two stolen motorcycles allegedly traced to the gang while adding that the suspects were currently assisting police investigations aimed at uncovering more accomplices and recovering additional stolen property.

“Also, on 15th July 2025, at about 1400hrs, following credible intelligence from a reliable source regarding the activities of suspected motorcycle thieves, a team of operatives led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit swung into action.

“They tracked down and arrest one Yusuf Yakubu of Amana Village, Abubakar Jibrin and Mustapha Aliyu at Anguwan Rimi, as well as Yunusa Yusuf from Kujama. The suspects specialize in attacking, maiming or killing cyclists and dispossessing them of their motorcycles. During the operation, two stolen motorcycles were successfully recovered.”
He quoted the State Police Commissioner, Rabiu Muhammad, to commended his men for their dedication, resilience, and swift response to intelligence.

He also urged members of the public to continue cooperating with the police by providing credible information to aid security efforts in the state.

“The Command remains steadfast in its determination to combat crime and ensure the safety of all residents in Kaduna,” Hassan assured.