Kaduna Police arrest 12 kidnap suspects, 13 murder suspects in two weeks

The Kaduna State Police Command has recorded major breakthrough in its fight against crime, arresting 12 suspected kidnappers, 13 suspects linked to culpable homicide, four suspected car thieves, and recovering four stolen vehicles and 2,700 sachets of Tramadol within the last two weeks.

The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu disclosed this during a press briefing in Kaduna, where he outlined the command’s achievements in ongoing efforts to combat criminality and improve public safety across the state.

According to the police chief, six suspected kidnappers were arrested following intelligence-led operations that tracked them from Kaduna to Sagamu in Ogun State. The suspects were apprehended in a forest hideout where operatives recovered two AK-47 rifles, one pump-action gun, one fabricated pistol, 10 rounds of live ammunition and four cartridges.

In a separate operation, police operatives arrested a suspected kidnapper identified as Yahya Alhaji Yusuf, who allegedly confessed to involvement in kidnapping, cattle rustling and armed robbery activities. The suspect was also linked to the abduction of two victims along the Buruku axis, where a ransom of ₦6 million was reportedly collected. An AK-47 rifle was recovered from him.

The command also arrested a suspected serial fraudster, Usama Tijjani, accused of luring women to hotels, gaining their trust and stealing their phones, jewellery and other valuables. Police said the suspect confessed to deceiving more than 200 women and dispossessing them of personal belongings after intimate encounters.

Items recovered from the suspect included gold jewellery valued at over N30 million and 20 mobile phones believed to be proceeds of crime.

The police further announced the arrest of 13 suspects in connection with the killing of two persons following allegations of witchcraft in Katuga Unguwar Ruwa Village, Kagarko Local Government Area. The incident reportedly sparked communal violence in the area.

Among those arrested are Comfort Emmanuel and 12 others alleged to have played active roles in the deaths of Isiyaka Bijimi and Mercy Danladi. Police said investigations were ongoing to determine the extent of each suspect’s involvement.

In another development, operatives intercepted two suspected drug dealers, Jamilu Ahmed and Mubarak Ibrahim, and recovered 2,700 sachets of Tramadol during an operation in Zaria. The suspects allegedly confessed to distributing illicit drugs within the metropolis and surrounding communities.

The command also recorded successes in combating vehicle theft. Detectives arrested a suspect, Shamsudeen Usman, in connection with the theft of a Golf III Station Wagon from Makera, Kakuri. The stolen vehicle was later recovered along the Kaduna-Abuja highway.

Three other suspects — Shehu Muhammed, Abubakar Musa and Adamu Manu — were arrested while attempting to deliver a stolen Toyota Corolla to a buyer in Kaduna. The vehicle was recovered, while investigations into other related crimes continue.

Additionally, police operatives recovered a Hyundai Sonata reported stolen at Murtala Mohammed Square after suspects abandoned the vehicle during a police pursuit.

CP Rabiu said the achievements underscored the command’s determination to deny criminals the freedom to operate in Kaduna State through intelligence gathering, targeted operations and community partnerships.

He expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, Governor, Uba Sani and residents of the state for their support and cooperation.

The commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to security agencies, while also appealing to the judiciary to allow the continued public parade of suspects arrested in possession of incriminating exhibits, arguing that such measures could strengthen crime prevention and public awareness of police efforts.