POLICE ARREST 26 SUSPECTED KIDNAPPERS, RECOVER WEAPONS AND RANSOM CASH IN KADUNA

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 26 suspected kidnappers and recovered four fabricated firearms, several dangerous weapons, and part of a ransom allegedly paid to abductors during a series of coordinated operations across the state.

The arrests were made between October 3 and 5, 2025, following intelligence-led raids in Anchau, Ikara, and Makarfi Local Government Areas carried out by police operatives in collaboration with the Kaduna Vigilance Service.

Spokesperson for the Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, who disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle kidnapping networks and curb banditry in the state.

The first major breakthrough came on October 5 when a patrol team from the Anchau Division stormed a kidnappers’ hideout around 1:15 a.m. and arrested six suspects, including 21-year-old Jibrin Abubakar, alias “Oga.”

Investigations revealed that the suspects had conspired to abduct 60-year-old Idris Adamu on September 22 and released him only after collecting a ₦5 million ransom.

Two other suspects 31-year-old Yunusa Iliya and 55-year-old Malam Iliya of Gidan Sidi Village were also arrested after a brief gun duel with the police, while two accomplices escaped and are currently being trailed.

Items recovered from the suspects include two locally fabricated pump-action rifles, five empty cartridges, several amulets, and ₦546,000 believed to be part of the ransom.

In another operation on October 3, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Habibu Alhaji Ahmadu, popularly known as “Munyaye,” in Ikara LGA. He was found with two locally made revolver rifles and reportedly confessed to leading an armed attack on a local businessman.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that Ahmadu is a member of a notorious gang terrorizing Ikara and its environs. His accomplices, identified as Buhari and Shede, are still on the run,” Hassan said.

A third operation on October 4 led to the arrest of 14 suspected kidnappers at Gazara Village, Makarfi LGA, based on intelligence from a recently released victim. Among them was Bello Umar, who had previously faced kidnapping charges.

Three additional suspects were later arrested at the Toll Gate area for their links to the same criminal network.

“All suspects are in custody as investigations continue to uncover their wider network, recover more exhibits, and apprehend accomplices still at large,” Hassan added.

Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the operatives for their professionalism and described the operation as “a significant stride in the fight against kidnapping and violent crime.”

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intensifying intelligence-led operations and working closely with communities to make Kaduna unsafe for criminals.

Muhammad also appealed to residents to provide timely and credible information to aid ongoing security efforts in the state.