The Kaduna State Police Command says the arrests and recoveries followed intelligence-led operations targeting kidnapping, banditry, arms trafficking and cattle rustling across the state.

The men of the Nigeria police,  Kaduna State Police Command has announced the arrest of 24 suspected kidnappers and the recovery of 21 firearms, more than 500 rounds of live ammunition, 38 cartridges, two AK-47 magazines and a bag containing suspected charms in a series of operations across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the command’s recent operational achievements.

According to him, the operations were carried out through intelligence gathering, surveillance, rapid response, proactive patrols and collaboration with other security agencies and community-based security structures.

One of the major breakthroughs occurred on September 24, 2026, when personnel of Operation Fushin Kada attached to Kudan Local Government Area arrested 45-year-old Abdullahi Ibrahim during a routine patrol around Maraban Kanja.

The police said a search conducted following his arrest led to the recovery of two locally made AK-47 rifles, nine locally made long guns, 10 locally made pistols, two AK-47 magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 38 live cartridges.

The command said preliminary investigation indicated that Ibrahim claimed to have obtained the weapons and ammunition from two individuals identified as Saidu Magari and Mallam Ado.

Both suspects, however, were said to be at large as police intensified efforts to apprehend them.

In another operation, police operatives intercepted a vehicle at Dogarawa in Zaria following intelligence linking its occupants to suspected banditry and cattle-rustling activities.

Three rifles were reportedly recovered from the vehicle, including an AK-47 rifle, a Type-06 rifle and an LAR rifle. The police said the magazines recovered with the weapons were empty.

The principal suspect, identified as Lawal Umar of Kidandan Village in Giwa Local Government Area, reportedly escaped and remains at large.

The command also disclosed the arrest of Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar over alleged arms and ammunition trafficking.

Police said sustained surveillance led to the recovery of 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type-06 ammunition from the suspects.

In a separate operation in Gimi Ward, Makarfi Local Government Area, 20-year-old Usman Alhaji Dahiru was arrested following a reported attack by suspected criminals.

According to the police, security operatives and local vigilantes engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to flee the area.

A locally made rifle, a pistol, three cartridges, one round of live ammunition and a bag containing charms were reportedly recovered during the operation.

The Commissioner said the command would continue to sustain intelligence-led operations and strengthen cooperation with other security agencies and local communities to disrupt criminal networks operating across Kaduna State.

He also called for continued support and timely information from residents, stressing that community cooperation remains important in identifying and apprehending suspected criminals.

The suspects remain subject to investigation, and allegations against them have not been established in court.