A suspected bandit with AK-47 and AK-49 rifles has been arrested in Kaduna, police say. The police said several bandits were wounded in a fierce gunfight that preceded the arrest.

The police spokesman in Kaduna, DSP Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday in Kaduna.

According to the statement, the operatives on Thursday, “acting on credible intelligence, dislodged an identified kidnapper’s den at Galadimawa forest of Giwa local government area.

There was a fierce gunfight between the police and the bandits, leaving several insurgents wounded.

“However, the brave operatives succeeded in arresting one of the bandits with AK 47/49 rifles and five rounds of live 7.62 X 39mm ammunition. Other items recovered include three Tecno phone handsets and a torchlight,” the police statement said. “The suspect is currently undergoing thorough investigation as the operatives are still on aggressive pursuit of his criminal cohorts.”

It further mentioned that police commissioner Yekini Ayoku commended the gallantry of the officers who carried out the operation and pledged to deepen the existing robust synergy and collaborative engagement among security forces in Kaduna.

The statement added that the police would remain resolute and focused on “exterminating enemies of our collective security.”

According to the statement, Mr Ayoku urged Kaduna residents to be vigilant and promptly report suspicious characters to security agencies.

He assured the residents of confidentiality of all sources of information.

(NAN)