Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have foiled a kidnapping attempt in Makarfi Local Government Area of the state, arresting four suspects and recovering firearms and 300 rounds of live ammunition in separate operations.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan.
According to Hassan, the first incident occurred in the early hours of September 20, when suspected bandits attacked a resident in Gimi Ward, Makarfi Local Government Area.
He said police operatives from the Makarfi Division, supported by local vigilantes, responded to a distress call and engaged the attackers in a gun duel.
The suspects eventually fled into the bush, while one of them, identified as 20-year-old Usman Alhaji Dahiru, was wounded and arrested.
Police said a locally made rifle with three live cartridges, a locally made pistol with one live round and a bag containing charms were recovered from the suspect.
In a separate operation in Gwantu on September 21, police arrested a suspect identified as Jude Magaji, who was allegedly carrying a locally fabricated pistol and intimidating residents.
The command said its operatives tracked and arrested the suspect, recovering the firearm from his possession.
Police arrest suspected arms dealers
In another operation, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit targeted a suspected arms-trafficking syndicate operating around Giwa Local Government Area and the railway station axis of Kaduna.
Acting on credible intelligence, the detectives conducted surveillance and arrested two suspects identified as Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar.
A search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type 06 ammunition, bringing the total to 300 rounds of live ammunition.
The command said the suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue to establish the source and intended destination of the ammunition and identify other members of the suspected syndicate.
The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu, commended the police operatives and local vigilantes for their prompt response and bravery.
He directed that operations be intensified to apprehend fleeing suspects and urged residents to continue providing the police with credible information that could assist ongoing efforts to combat kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.
