The police command in Kaduna says its operatives have detained two cattle rustlers, two notorious gunrunners and three alleged kidnappers.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.

Mr Hassan said the operatives also foiled a kidnapping attempt and recovered one fabricated AK-47 rifle with ammunition.

He said, “On Thursday,  Police operatives, acting on a credible intelligence report, conducted a successful raid. It was on a hideout used by a notorious syndicate involved in the rustling of cattle from innocent farmers in the Kasuwa Magani area of Kujama, Kaduna.”

According to him, during the operation, the police apprehended two suspects, Aminu Saleh, 25 and Jafar Ibrahim,  24.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime and revealed that they have been working with four other syndicate members who are currently at large,” he said.

Hassan also disclosed that on Thursday, a resident, Shafiu Abdullahi, reported to Operation Fushin Kada that he had received threatening phone calls demanding N10 million.

He alleged that the callers were threatening to kidnap him if the ransom was not paid.

”The Tracking and Response Team immediately took action, using advanced techniques to locate and apprehend the suspects. The suspects detained are Umar Baso, Shehu Filani, and Babangida Abdulkarim, all residents of Soba and Kajuru LGAs of Kaduna state.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in the crime, providing detailed accounts of their actions. Additionally, On Saturday, the operatives arrested two suspects involved in supplying arms and ammunition to kidnappers operating in Kaduna and Katsina States as well as Zamfara,“ he said.

Mr Hassan identified the suspects as Dahiru Liman, 47,  Garin Kurama village, Lere LGA Kaduna State and Sani Abdullahi Makeri, 45, of Kankara LGA, Katsina.

They were apprehended with one fabricated AK-47 rifle and five rounds of 9mm live ammunition recovered during the operation.

Mr Hassan said the suspects confessed to the crime and their long-term involvement in other illegal activities. He said police commissioner Audu Dabigi called on the public to stay vigilant.

Mr Dabigi also called on them to promptly report any suspicious activities to strengthen the collective effort to maintain security across the state.

He reassured the residents that the command was unwavering in its commitment to dismantling criminal networks and safeguarding the well-being of all the citizens.

(NAN)