Kaduna police arrest 12 kidnappers, 13 murder suspects, recover firearms, stolen vehicles in two weeks

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspected kidnappers, 13 suspects for culpable homicide, and 4 car snatchers, while recovering firearms, stolen vehicles, and over 2,700 sachets of Tramadol in the last two weeks, Commissioner of Police Muhammad Rabiu has said.

CP Rabiu, psc, mni, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Kaduna, saying the Command’s “intelligence-led policing, strategic operations, and collaboration with sister security agencies and members of the public” yielded the results.

“These efforts have yielded significant results, leading to the arrest of dangerous criminal elements, rapists, murderers and the recovery of illegal firearms and stolen property,” the CP stated.

Key Arrests and Recoveries:

Six Suspected Kidnappers Arrested, Firearms Recovered
On June 5, 2026, operatives tracked suspects from Kaduna to Sagamu, Ogun State, where 6 suspected bandits were arrested: Bukar Bulama, Abubakar Mohammad, Mohammad Usman, Ibrahim Sani, Aliyu Usman, and Dan Bello Umaru. Police recovered 2 AK-47 rifles, 1 pump-action gun, 1 fabricated pistol, 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and 4 cartridges from their forest hideout. The suspects were transferred to Kaduna for prosecution.

Kidnapper Arrested with AK-47, ₦6m Ransom Confession
On May 28, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Zaria arrested Yahya Alhaji Yusuf for banditry. He confessed to kidnapping 2 victims along the Buruku axis and collecting ₦6 million ransom, as well as involvement in cattle rustling and armed robbery. His personal AK-47 rifle was recovered.

Suspect Who Defrauded 200 Women Arrested
Police arrested Usama Tijjani, a serial suspect known for luring women to hotels, having sex with them, then stealing phones and jewellery. He confessed to defrauding over 200 women. Recovered items include gold jewellery worth over ₦30 million and 20 different GSM phones suspected to be proceeds of crime.

13 Arrested Over Culpable Homicide, Witchcraft Allegations
Following a raid on June 11, 2026 in Katuga Unguwar Ruwa Village, Kagarko LGA, 13 suspects including Comfort Emmanuel, 30, were arrested over criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, witchcraft allegations, and inciting communal violence. The suspects are linked to the killing of Isiyaka Bijimi and Mercy Danladi, an incident that escalated into community violence. Investigation is ongoing.

2,700 Sachets of Tramadol Seized
On June 10, operatives intercepted Jamilu Ahmed and Mubarak Ibrahim with a sack containing 2,700 sachets of Tramadol in Zaria. Both confessed to being drug dealers operating within the metropolis.

Car Theft Syndicates Busted, 4 Vehicles Recovered
Police arrested Shamsudeen Usman of Maiduguri for stealing a Golf III Station Wagon in Kakuri on June 2. The vehicle was recovered along the Kaduna-Abuja Road. Three other suspected car snatchers — Shehu Muhammed, Abubakar Musa, and Adamu Manu — were arrested on June 4 while trying to sell a stolen Toyota Corolla LE in Kaduna. Another Hyundai Sonata stolen on May 27 at Murtala Mohammed Square was recovered after suspects abandoned it while fleeing.

Command Seeks Public, Judiciary Support
CP Rabiu commended IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu and Governor Uba Sani for their support, and thanked Kaduna residents for providing credible information. He urged the public to remain vigilant and partner with police to build a safer state.

He also appealed to the judiciary to allow police parade suspects arrested “on the act or exhibit recovered from them,” saying it would deter crime and enlighten the public on police efforts.

“These achievements underscore the Command’s unwavering determination to deny criminals the freedom to operate within Kaduna State. We shall continue to intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen community engagement, and sustain targeted operations against banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, vehicle theft, and other forms of criminality,” he added.