The police command in Kaduna State says it arrested 16 suspected kidnappers and recovered 10 firearms of different calibres in operations conducted in the state.

The state Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this on Tuesday at a press briefing in Kaduna, saying the achievements were recorded within the two weeks.

Mr Muhammad said the command also arrested three suspected gunrunners and six other suspects in possession of 170 counterfeit U.S. dollar notes, while 190 solar inverters worth about N69 million were recovered.

According to him, other items recovered include one stolen vehicle, 83 parcels of hard drugs, 32 stolen mobile phones, two plasma television sets, 410 cattle and other exhibits.

He said on July 21, police arrested Aisha Barau, 20, of Ramin Kura Village, after she was allegedly found attempting to exchange suspected counterfeit U.S. dollar notes for naira.

The CP said preliminary investigation led to the arrest of Abdullahi Muhammad, 55, and Danbala Jibrin, 57, both of Ramin Kura Village, who were allegedly linked to the counterfeit currency syndicate.

He added that further investigation led to the arrest of other members of the syndicate, who would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Mr Muhammad said that on July 25, operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit arrested three suspected gunrunners in Jos, Plateau State, following credible intelligence on the activities of an arms-trafficking syndicate.

He identified the suspects as Luka Samuel, 38; John Paul, 37; and Musa Elisha, 28, adding that two locally fabricated pistols were recovered from them.

According to him, the suspects allegedly confessed to supplying arms and ammunition to bandits and were assisting the police with information to identify other members of the syndicate.

The CP also said that on July 24, a combined team of operatives from Anchau Division and Yan Sa Kai arrested Abdullahi Mohammed, alias “Aala,” 34, over alleged involvement in several kidnapping incidents.

He said one AK-47 rifle and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect, who allegedly confessed to masterminding kidnappings in Kuzuntu Village, Ikara Local Government Area, and other parts of Kano State.

Mr Muhammad said the command also recovered a Toyota Sienna allegedly stolen from a Juma’at Mosque in Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna, and arrested two suspects linked to the theft and fabrication of duplicate vehicle keys.

He said 80 cattle and 10 sheep allegedly rustled from Damanko Village, Zaria Local Government Area, were also recovered after police operatives engaged the fleeing attackers in a gun duel.

The CP said two owners of the livestock sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and were receiving treatment at a medical facility.

He further disclosed that police recovered 190 solar inverters valued at about N69 million and 10 lithium batteries worth approximately N9 million from a store in Zaria.

According to him, preliminary investigation indicated that the items were suspected to have been stolen from a container while in transit to Zaria.

Mr Muhammad said the command also arrested two suspected suppliers of hard drugs to bandits operating around Kasuwar Magani Town and recovered a large quantity of suspected illicit drugs.

The commissioner commended the operatives for their gallantry and professionalism, assuring residents of the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks and ensuring the safety of the state.

He urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, stressing that security agencies were working jointly with the military, State Security Service (SSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), vigilance groups and other stakeholders to make Kaduna safer.

(NAN)