By Umar Faruk
Birnin Kebbi, Nigeria, May 04, 2026(Series News Online)- The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested 47 suspects for various violent crimes and recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition between January and May 2026, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar M. Hadejia, said on Monday.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Birnin Kebbi, CP Hadejia said the arrests followed intensified intelligence-led patrols and joint security operations across the state.
“Since my assumption of duty as Commissioner of Police on 12th January 2026, I have undertaken a comprehensive tour of the State and established the Violent Crimes Response Unit, VCRU, as approved by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu,” CP Hadejia stated.
He explained that the measures were taken to address security challenges confronting the state. “During this period, Kebbi State faced significant security challenges, including armed banditry, cattle rustling, armed motorcycle snatching, and the threat of Lakurawa elements operating along border corridors,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, the challenges informed key strategic decisions, including the strengthening of joint security operations with other agencies and the intensification of intelligence-led patrols.
“It is these measures that have yielded the successes I will now present,” CP Hadejia told journalists.
He disclosed that on 29th April 2026, Police Mobile Officers on routine patrol along the Bena–Mai Rai Rai Road arrested two suspected bandits, Aliyu Hussaini, 23, and Sani Abubakar, 28.
“A search recovered 36 rounds of live assault rifle ammunition, one magazine, a Bajaj motorcycle, ₦264,000 in cash, nine memory cards, four SIM cards, three Android phones, and one keypad phone,” he said. “Both suspects have confessed to terrorizing villages along that axis and are in custody for further investigation.”
The Commissioner also reported that on 1st May 2026, a patrol team led by the DPO of Amburusa intercepted two suspects attempting to snatch a red Bajaj motorcycle from one Nasiru Alhassan along the Amburusa –Sanyinna Road.
“The suspect used a sharp sack needle to inflict serious injuries on the victim,” CP Hadejia said. “While the victim is undergoing treatment at Ambursa Hospital, the suspects were apprehended, the motorcycle and weapon were also recovered, and the case is under investigation.”
In another incident, officers attached to the Kalgo Division arrested Ashiru Muhammad, 20, on 2nd May 2026 for armed motorcycle snatching.
“He confessed to conspiring with Usman Muhammad and Anas Bangola, both at large, to block the Masalaci Zarya–Jega Road, where they attacked Dan’juma Baban Yara, 45, stabbing him in the head with a knife before stealing his Bajaj motorcycle,” the CP said. He added that a manhunt for the fleeing accomplices was ongoing.
Providing a summary of the Command’s operations from January 2026 to date, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia said police had recovered 10 AK-47 rifles, eight fabricated AK-47 rifles, two Mack-Four rifles, five locally made revolver guns, five single-barrel guns, five Dane guns, two locally made pistols, and three fabricated Beretta pistols.
He added that the Command also recovered 1,229 rounds of live AK-47 ammunition, 29 rounds of machine gun ammunition, 40 live cartridges, 16 rounds of Beretta pistol ammunition, and five empty AK-47 magazines.
“Seven recovered motorcycles are in custody, while 15 additional stolen motorcycles have already been released to their owners,” he said.
On cattle rustling, CP Hadejia noted that 33 rustled cattle were recovered on 3rd April 2026 in a joint operation with the Nigerian Army along the Kamba–Kangiwa Road, during which one bandit was neutralized.
“Eight additional cattle were recovered in a follow-up operation by the DPO Kangiwa,” he said.
The Commissioner confirmed that 47 suspects had been arrested for various violent crimes, including armed robbery, banditry, and armed motorcycle snatching. Forty stolen GSM phones, along with phones and SIM cards used by bandits, were also recovered and are undergoing forensic analysis.
“These achievements reflect the dedication of our operatives, the effectiveness of joint security operations, and the support of the public,” CP Hadejia stated.
He urged commercial motorcycle riders to avoid conveying suspicious persons to isolated locations. “This has become a common tactic used by armed motorcycle snatchers and bandits,” he said. “Riders are urged to report any unusual requests to the nearest police station.”
Tags
Crime