Kaduna Police Arrest 17 Suspects for Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Arms Trafficking

 The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested at least 10 suspects allegedly involved in armed robbery, illegal arms manufacturing, kidnapping, and arms trafficking across various parts of the state.

The operations led to the recovery of eight locally made guns, 16 cartridges, three vehicles, and a motorcycle, the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, disclosed in a statement on Sunday.

Hassan said the arrests were the result of intelligence-led operations and meticulous investigations aimed at dismantling criminal networks terrorising Kaduna and neighbouring states.

Among the key incidents, Hassan highlighted the arrest of Nura Auwal, who allegedly attacked and stabbed a 40-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Ismail Bello, on June 30, 2025, around LEA Primary School, Unguwan Gwari, Kaduna. The suspect reportedly stabbed Bello in the head and stomach before fleeing with his motorcycle. Following a report filed on July 8, 2025, operatives from the Kawo Division’s Surveillance Team apprehended Auwal and recovered the stolen motorcycle.

“The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged in court upon completion of investigations,” Hassan said.

In a separate operation on June 19, 2025, police arrested two suspects, Sanusi Bala from Zamfara State and Nura Bala from Zaria, at Kano Road, Kaduna, while they attempted to rob a victim of his tricycle.

“The suspects confessed to belonging to a syndicate notorious for targeting commercial tricycle riders and dispossessing them of their vehicles,” Hassan revealed. Investigations also linked the duo to Jamilu Zurmi of Zamfara State, identified as a major receiver of stolen tricycles.

Further police efforts led to the recovery of three Golf III vehicles suspected to be tied to the syndicate:

• A dark blue Golf III Wagon with registration number ABC-152-AL
• A green Golf III Wagon with registration number ABJ-900-RE
• An unregistered dark blue Golf III Wagon

In another breakthrough on June 4, 2025, operatives arrested five suspects allegedly involved in cross-border armed robbery. The suspects—Ahmed Umar, Isah Musa, Zailani Sa’adu, Abdulrahman Mukhtar, and Ibrahim Bala—were said to have invaded a residence in Ungwan Sanusi, Kaduna, where they stole a Toyota Corolla and other valuables.

Further investigation revealed the stolen vehicle had been sold to one Alhaji Garba Yaro, who is currently at large and reportedly resides in Maradi, Niger Republic.

The police assured residents of continued efforts to rid the state of criminal elements and urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.