29 Suspects Arrested in Kaduna for Various Crimes

In the last two weeks, the Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 29 suspects linked to kidnapping, murder, car theft, and drug trafficking. The police recovered firearms, stolen vehicles, jewelry worth over N30 million, and 2,700 sachets of Tramadol during these operations.

On Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, shared details of these arrests while speaking to journalists about the command's recent success in fighting crime across the state.

Rabiu explained that these successes came from good intelligence-led policing and teamwork with other security agencies and the local community. He said, "In the last two weeks, the command successfully arrested 12 suspected kidnappers, 13 suspects for murder, and four suspected car thieves. We also recovered four stolen vehicles and 2,700 sachets of Tramadol along with other drugs."

One of the significant successes was the arrest of six suspected bandits. This happened after police received information about illegal firearms being moved across state lines. Rabiu noted that police tracked the suspects to Sagamu, Ogun State. This manhunt led to the capture of Bukar Bulama, Abubakar Mohammad, Mohammad Usman, Ibrahim Sani, Aliyu Usman, and Dan Bello Umaru.

A search of their hideout in a forest resulted in the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, one homemade pistol, 10 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, and four cartridges. The police chief said, "The suspects were later moved to Kaduna State for more investigation and prosecution."

Rabiu also mentioned that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Zaria arrested Yahya Alhaji Yusuf for his role in banditry. He confessed to taking part in kidnappings, cattle rustling, and armed robbery. This includes the kidnapping of two victims along the Buruku road, from whom a ransom of N6 million was allegedly collected. An AK-47 rifle belonging to him was also seized during the investigation.

In another case, the police nabbed Usama Tijjani, who was said to lure women to hotels, earn their trust, and steal their phones, jewelry, and other items. Rabiu reported that Tijjani admitted to tricking over 200 women. He stated, "During preliminary investigations, the suspect voluntarily confessed to deceiving over 200 women and subsequently dispossessing them of their valuables."

The police recovered gold jewelry worth over N30 million and 20 different mobile phones believed to be stolen from these women. The command also arrested 13 suspects connected to the murder of two individuals following witchcraft accusations in Katuga Unguwar Ruwa village, Kagarko Local Government Area.

The suspects include Comfort Emmanuel, Ayuba Jatau, Daniel Enoch, Anthony Victor, Bijimi Jethro, Saviour Umar, Zelord Philip, Hosea Haruna, Umaru Dantara, Justina Philip, Promise Samuel, Kerin Adamu, and Veronica James. Rabiu stated that they were suspected of being involved in the killings of Isiyaka Bijimi and Mercy Danladi, which later led to community violence.

He added, "Investigations are ongoing to determine each suspect’s role and to ensure that everyone connected to the crime is brought to justice."

The police chief also revealed that two suspected drug dealers, Jamilu Ahmed and Mubarak Ibrahim, were caught in Zaria with 2,700 sachets of Tramadol. He said the suspects admitted to being drug dealers operating in and around Zaria.

Additionally, three members of a car theft gang, Shehu Muhammed, Abubakar Musa, and Adamu Manu, were arrested while trying to sell a stolen Toyota Corolla LE in Kaduna. The vehicle was recovered, and efforts are ongoing to find other crimes linked to these suspects.

Rabiu concluded by saying that operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department found a Hyundai Sonata stolen at Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna, after the suspects abandoned it and ran away upon seeing security officials.