Police neutralise bandits in Kaduna, recover firearms

The Kaduna State Police Command has neutralised several bandits and recovered about 30 firearms during a two-week offensive targeting criminal networks across the state. The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this during a press briefing in Kaduna, saying the operations were part of sustained efforts to curb banditry, kidnapping and illegal arms proliferation. According […]

The Kaduna State Police Command has neutralised several bandits and recovered about 30 firearms during a two-week offensive targeting criminal networks across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, disclosed this during a press briefing in Kaduna, saying the operations were part of sustained efforts to curb banditry, kidnapping and illegal arms proliferation.

According to him, the intelligence-led clearance operations, conducted in February 2026, targeted identified bandits’ camps and criminal hideouts in Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi and Kauru Local Government Areas.

“During fierce exchanges of fire, some bandits were neutralised, while others escaped with injuries. Suspected informants and drug suppliers linked to criminal networks were also apprehended,” Muhammad said.

He explained that the coordinated raids led to the arrest of several suspected bandits and five alleged gunrunners, alongside the recovery of a significant cache of arms.

The recovered weapons include three English AK-47 rifles, 21 fabricated firearms, one sub-machine gun (SMG), two English pistols and four locally made pistols. A large quantity of hard drugs believed to be linked to criminal activities was also recovered.

In a related development, detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit on February 20, 2026, arrested a suspected illegal arms fabricator, Adamu Aminu, in Jaji town, Igabi LGA.

The suspect was found in possession of six fabricated AK-47 rifles, three fabricated revolver rifles, two fabricated pistols and seven English AK-47 magazines.

Another suspect, Abubakar Hassan of Unguwar Rogo, Jos North LGA of Plateau State, was arrested in connection with the case.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are involved in illegal arms fabrication and supply, thereby fuelling criminal activities within and beyond Kaduna State,” the commissioner said.

Earlier, on February 17, operatives intercepted three suspects in Kasuwan Magani following credible intelligence on an illegal weapons transaction.

The suspects — Peter Pama and Saleh Monday of Iburu, and Sunday Makama of Kasuwan Magani — were arrested with a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and a pump-action gun.