Police seize fake dollars, guns, and stolen cars in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has seized 332 suspected fake $100 notes, nine locally made guns, a pump-action rifle, and two stolen vehicles in different operations across the state.

Three suspects were arrested in connection with a black GMK Jeep worth N70 million. The suspects planned to sell it for N4 million after breaking it down for parts.

The police shared this news in a statement on Thursday from their Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.

Hassan said these operations are part of the police's ongoing efforts to stop criminals from moving freely and to ensure safety for residents, especially farmers who need to access their farms.

According to the statement, the police got a tip-off around 10 AM on August 31 about armed bandits troubling farmers in the Kidandan area of Giwa Local Government Area.

The Divisional Police Officer in Kidandan quickly sent Police Mobile Force personnel from APV Kaya, along with members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service, to deal with the bandits.

When the police team arrived, the bandits fired at them but ran into the nearby bush after the security team responded. The fleeing criminals left behind a pump-action rifle with two cartridges and a motorcycle.

"Due to the superior firepower of the security forces, the bandits were forced to flee into the surrounding bush, abandoning one pump-action rifle with two cartridges and one motorcycle," the statement said.

In another operation near the Maraban Jos area, police set up roadblocks after receiving information about suspected gunrunners.

The police reported that the presence of security made some suspects change their routes, while others escaped into the bush. Nine fabricated guns were found and recovered during this operation.

The police are still working to track down the suspects who got away.

The police also arrested three suspects in Panteka, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, on Wednesday. They were caught trying to sell a stolen black GMK Jeep.

The suspects are Hashiru Ibrahim, Mohammed Ibrahim, and Umar Hassan. The vehicle, worth about N70 million, was being sold for N4 million and was ready to be stripped for parts.

The police's early investigation showed that Hashiru allegedly stole the car from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he worked as a driver for a Chinese company. The vehicle has been recovered and is secured while investigations continue to find more members of the group.

The police also mentioned that their Surveillance Unit from the State Criminal Investigation Department intercepted a white Toyota Hilux believed to be stolen from Agadez, Niger Republic.

This vehicle was stopped in Kaduna on August 31 after receiving reliable information. One Abubakar Abdullahi, who was found with it, was arrested.

"Upon conducting verification, the operatives confirmed that the chassis number of the vehicle corresponded with that of the vehicle reported stolen from Niger Republic," the statement added.

The vehicle was taken into police custody for further investigation.

On the same day, the police arrested Kabir Yusuf from India Road, Barnawa, Kaduna, for allegedly having fake money.

Hassan said the suspect was arrested after police received information that he had suspected counterfeit $100 notes. A search led to the recovery of 332 suspected fake $100 notes and six counterfeit N1,000 notes.

During the investigation, the suspect allegedly admitted to getting the fake money from Sahibu Ruhan in Kano State, who is still at large.

Police are working to arrest Ruhan and find the wider network involved in spreading the counterfeit money.

The Commissioner of Police praised the public for providing timely information that helped the police achieve these results. He urged residents to stay alert and quickly report any suspicious activities to the police and other security agencies.

The CP assured the public that the police would keep up their operations and intelligence-led policing throughout the state.

"The achievements were made possible largely through the support and actionable intelligence provided by good Samaritans," the commissioner said in the statement.

He added that the police will continue to collaborate with residents and other security agencies to make Kaduna safer.