The police command in Kaduna says it foiled a kidnapping attempt, arrested three suspected arms dealers and recovered three firearms and 300 rounds of live ammunition.

The command’s spokesman, Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Mr Hassan said that on September 20, at about 1:15 a.m., the command received a distress call that armed bandits had attacked a resident in Gimi Ward, Makarfi council area. He said operatives of Makarfi Division, supported by local vigilantes, swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the attackers in a gun duel. According to him, the operatives eventually overpowered the attackers with superior firepower, forcing them to flee into the bush.

One of the suspects, Usman Alhaji Dahiru, 20, a native of the area, was wounded and subsequently arrested.

Mr Hassan said the police recovered one locally made rifle with three live cartridges, one locally made pistol with one live round and a bag containing charms from the suspect. He added that efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects had been intensified.

On Monday, at about 10:00 p.m., the command received information that Jude Magaji of Ungwan Asibiti had a pistol, said the officer, adding that Mr Magaji was allegedly moving around the community, intimidating residents with the firearm and intending to commit an offence.

“Operatives of the Gwantu Division immediately swung into action, tracked the suspect and arrested him. The firearm was also recovered from his possession,” he said.

Mr Hassan said the suspect remained in police custody while an investigation was ongoing to establish how he obtained the firearm and determine whether it had been used in any crime. He said that on Tuesday, at about 5:00 p.m., the command also received credible intelligence regarding a suspected syndicate involved in the illegal trafficking of arms and ammunition around Giwa LGA and the railway station axis of Kaduna.

According to him, detectives attached to the anti-kidnapping unit commenced surveillance and successfully tracked and arrested two suspects. He said a search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of 270 live rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 live rounds of Type 06 ammunition, bringing the total to 300 rounds.

“The suspects are currently in police custody, while further investigation is ongoing to establish the source and intended destination of the ammunition, as well as identify other persons connected to the syndicate,” he said.

(NAN)