Police Nab 523 Suspected Kidnappers, Cattle Rustlers, Others, in Kaduna

John Shiklam in Kaduna

Operatives of the  Kaduna state police command said  they have  arrested 523 suspected criminals and rescued 102  victims of kidnappers.

In a statement yesterday in Kaduna, the Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Abdullahi,  said those arrested include 26 suspected kidnappers, 12 cattle rustlers, 97 phone snatchers and 17 car snatchers, among others.

Enumerating his achievements since he assumed office as the  state’s  police commissioner over a month ago,  Abdullahi said the arrests were made within one month of his  assumption of office.

He  said some of the items recovered from the suspects include five AK47 rifles, two pistols, one  submachine gun, 105 rounds of live ammunition, 283 rustled cows and  20 sheeps.

“As we are now the ember months, efforts have been intensified to tackle crime across the state. Black spots known for criminal activities were raided, leading to the arrest of over 350 suspects.

“Among those apprehended are suspects involved in phone snatching and Sara suka, demonstrating a firm commitment to improving public safety and reducing crime during this critical period”, he said. Giving details of the arrests  Abdullahi  said: “On 24th November, 2024, the command received a distressed call  reporting suspicious activities of  bandits in large numbers attempting to kidnap farmers harvesting beans in a farm at Idasu village, Kidandan in Giwa LGA of Kaduna state.

“Upon the report, a combined teams of police mobile force and conventional police personnel, swiftly mobilised to the location and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle. The operatives successfully rescued 89 kidnap victims.”

He said further that the police, on November 10, 2024, arrested  one Abdulmalik Aliyu, armed with a sharp matchet, attacked Isah Musa, along Layin Wanki, Ungwan Shanu, Kaduna, and cut off his wrist and robbed him of his VINO Motorcycle, valued at N450,000.

Similarly, on November 20, the Anchau Police Division,  arrested a suspected kidnapper, Danladi Lawal  for  abduction and collecting N4.5 million from the victim.

The statement said: “These achievements underscore the Kaduna State Police Command’s dedication to tackling crime and safeguarding lives and property. The command will not relent in its efforts to maintain law and order across the state.

“We will continue to strengthen community policing and remain resolute in the fight against all forms of criminality.”