Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested ten suspected armed robbers and four illegal gun manufacturers in separate operations across the state.
A statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, confirmed that eight locally made guns, sixteen cartridges, three vehicles, and a motorcycle were recovered from the suspects.
According to the statement, two suspects — Sanusi Bala from Zamfara State and Nura Bala from Zaria in Kaduna State — were apprehended while attempting to rob a man of his tricycle.
During interrogation, the duo confessed to being members of a syndicate that specializes in targeting and robbing commercial tricycle operators. They also revealed that the stolen tricycles were sold to one Jamilu Zurmi from Zamfara State.
Further investigations led to the recovery of three additional vehicles from the gang.
The recovered vehicles include: a dark blue Golf III Wagon with registration number ABC-152-AL, a green Golf III Wagon with registration number ABJ-900-RE, and an unregistered dark blue Golf III Wagon.
Police authorities confirmed that efforts are underway to arrest other members of the syndicate, including the suspected receiver of the stolen tricycles.
In a related development, police operatives also arrested a group of suspected armed robbers said to have been operating in Kaduna and neighboring states.
The five suspects — Ahmed Umar Isah Musa, Zailani Sa’adu, Abdulrahman Mukhtar, and Ibrahim Sa’adu — were apprehended after they allegedly invaded a residence in Unguwan Sanusi, Kaduna South Local Government Area, and robbed the occupant of his Toyota Corolla and other valuables.
Investigations revealed that the stolen vehicle was sold to one Garba Yaro from Maradi, Niger Republic, who is currently on the run. Intelligence reports identified Yaro as a known receiver of stolen vehicles, with ties to several other accomplices who have also been arrested and are expected to be prosecuted soon.
In another operation, four suspects involved in the illegal fabrication of firearms and ammunition were arrested in Giroji village, Makarfi Local Government Area.
The suspects — Hassan Ibrahim, Murtala Yakubu, Shuaibu Abubakar, and Ismail Shuaibu — were apprehended following credible intelligence about their activities.
Recovered items from the scene include three locally made rifles, three incomplete rifle frames, fourteen cartridges, five live rounds of T.06 ammunition, and one bench vice machine.
Additionally, operatives from the police anti-kidnapping unit arrested three individuals in Doya village, Makarfi LGA, in connection with the abduction of the wife of a man known simply as Alhaji from Kwatakore village.
Two locally made guns and two live cartridges were recovered from the suspects — Rabilu Lawal, Sirajo Shuaibu, and Shehu Sarki — who are currently in custody as investigations continue.
Similarly, officers of the Command apprehended another group of suspected armed robbers at Kano Road in Kaduna North Local Government Area, following actionable intelligence about their criminal activities.