By Abdullahi Alhassan
Kaduna, Nigeria , April 12, 2026(Series News Online)-The Kaduna State Police Command arrested 41 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers and freed seven abducted persons during intelligence-driven operations across the state in March and April 2026.
Briefing reporters, Commissioner of Police Rabiu Muhammad said the command also recovered 24 firearms, 200 rounds of live ammunition, and 50 stolen cattle within the period.
He attributed the results to “strategic operations and the unwavering commitment of officers under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.” He added, “These successes form part of sustained efforts to combat crime and ensure the safety of all residents of Kaduna State.”
Providing details of major actions, CP Muhammad said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested Samaila Ilyasu of Kurata, Kagarko LGA, on April 7, 2026, for illegal arms dealing. “Twenty locally made Dane guns were recovered from the suspect during the targeted operation at the Kagarko axis,” he stated.
On April 11, 2026, he said, two suspected kidnappers, Abdullahi Suleiman and Jibril Isyaku of Anchau Village, were arrested following credible intelligence on abduction activities around Tashan Yari Village in Makarfi LGA. “Both suspects have confessed to their involvement and investigations are ongoing,” the CP said.
The command also apprehended three alleged informants for kidnappers. They are Ali Usman of Ladduga Village, Kachia LGA, arrested on March 16, 2026; Haruna Abubakar, 30, of Sabon Birni Village, Giwa LGA, arrested on April 11, 2026; and Yusufa Audu, 25, of Kadage Village, Kauru LGA, arrested on March 22, 2026.
CP Muhammad noted that Audu “confessed to supplying illicit drugs and intelligence to bandits operating within the Kadage forest.”
On homicide cases, detectives arrested Umar Yusuf, 25, and Jibril Lawal, 29, both of Wuzatta Village, Giwa LGA, on April 2, 2026. “The suspects were tracked to Zaria following reliable intelligence on a syndicate involved in homicide around Wuzatta Village and are currently in custody,” he said.
He disclosed that on April 1, 2026, at about 2240hrs, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, State CID Kaduna, intercepted 200 rounds of live ammunition hidden in a sack of guinea corn. Two men, Isah Abdullahi, 40, and Muhammad Salisu, 30, both from Tsafe LGA, Zamfara State, were arrested. “They confessed to transporting the ammunition to a suspect still at large,” the CP stated.
A known drug dealer, Mohd Sani, also called “Shanuna,” was arrested on April 1, 2026, at about 1330hrs in Rigasa after a tip-off from a resident. The CP described him as “a phone snatcher and member of a criminal gang terrorizing Tashar Kare, Rigasa, and the Railway axis,” adding that the Strike Force collaborated in the arrest.
On April 8, 2026, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, working with the Civilian Joint Task Force, arrested Idris Abubakar of Zuntu and Ibrahim Bello of Doguwa LGA, Kano State. “The arrest followed credible intelligence on a syndicate operating in Pambegua, Zuntu, and Dutsen Wai areas of Kubau LGA,” CP Muhammad said.
The command arrested two suspected cattle rustlers, Abdulkadir Haruna, 30, of Soba LGA, and Buhari Hassan, 25, of Giwa LGA, on April 3, 2026, at about 0600hrs. “Twenty rustled cows were recovered after police laid ambush at Kufena Unguwan Fulani based on credible information,” he explained.
Operatives of Operation Fushin Kada Surveillance Team arrested suspected kidnappers Rabiu Wada and Iliayasu Auwalu on April 9, 2026, based on intelligence from the Tracking and Intelligence Unit, Abuja. “The suspects confessed to membership of a syndicate specializing in kidnapping and cattle rustling within the state,” the CP said.
On April 1, 2026, the same team raided Rigasa and arrested 13 suspects for armed robbery, phone snatching, and thuggery. The suspects — Ahmed Usman, Yusuf Usman, Hussaini Abdullahi, Isah Abdullahi, Ahmed Musa, Adam Abdullahi, Umar Usman, Yusuf Sale, Bilyaminu Abubakar, Hussaini Labiru, Fahad Babangida, Mohammed Sani, and Hussaini Mohammed — “all confessed to the crimes during interrogation,” he stated.
Other arrests included Adamu Amadu, a suspected kidnapper picked up on March 21, 2026, in Kadugu Village, Lere LGA; Moses Bulus, 23, and Suleiman Idris, 27, arrested on April 11, 2026, for motorcycle snatching, along with receivers Peter Ishaya, 35, and Emmanuel Alamus, 45; and Aliyu Usama, 24, a suspected thief arrested the same day with 25 pieces of 12mm iron rod off-cuts stolen from Ahmadu Bello Stadium. “One black TVS motorcycle was recovered from the motorcycle snatching gang,” CP Muhammad added.
The Commissioner said the operations demonstrate the command’s resolve to “rid Kaduna State of criminal elements and ensure a safe environment for law-abiding citizens.”
He commended IGP Disu for “strategic guidance” and thanked Governor Uba Sani for “unwavering support.” He urged the public to “continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.”
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