Kaduna — In a major breakthrough against kidnapping and banditry, the Kaduna State Police Command has arrested twenty-six (26) suspected kidnappers in a series of coordinated operations across the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying that the joint operations were carried out by police operatives in collaboration with the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVIS) and local patrol teams.
According to him, the operation, which took place on October 5, 2025, at about 1:15 a.m., led to the arrest of one Jibrin Abubakar (a.k.a. Oga), 21, and five others for their alleged involvement in the abduction of a 60-year-old man, Idris Adamu, on September 22. The victim was reportedly released after the suspects collected a ransom of ₦5 million.
“During the operation, two locally fabricated pump-action guns, five empty cartridges, some charms, and cash amounting to ₦546,000, believed to be part of the ransom proceeds, were recovered,” the statement said.
Hassan added that two suspects — Yunusa Iliya (31) and Malam Iliya (55), both from Gidan Sidi Village in Anchau District — were arrested after a brief gun duel with police operatives. Two other suspects escaped and are currently being trailed.
In another development, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested one Habibu Alhaji Ahmadu (a.k.a. Munyaye) of Ikara Local Government Area, found with two locally made revolver rifles. The suspect reportedly confessed to having masterminded an attack on the home of a local businessman two months earlier and is said to belong to a notorious gang operating around Ikara and neighboring communities.
Similarly, on October 4, acting on intelligence from a kidnapped victim in Gazara Village, Makarfi LGA, police operatives raided several hideouts and arrested Bello Umar, a previously charged kidnap suspect, along with thirteen others. Three additional suspects were apprehended near the Toll Gate area, and dangerous weapons, including cutlasses, were recovered.
All the suspects, according to the Command, are in custody as investigations continue to track down fleeing accomplices and dismantle their criminal networks.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the operatives for their professionalism and resilience, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to ridding Kaduna State of banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
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