Kaduna Police Arrest 12 Suspects, Recover AK-47 Rifles in Anti-Kidnapping Operations

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 12 suspects, including eight suspected kidnappers and four alleged informants, during intensified security operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido. The police also reported recovering AK-47 rifles as part of efforts to tackle kidnapping and other criminal activities in the affected communities.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Mansir Hassan disclosed the arrests in a statement on Monday. He said the operations involved clearance exercises, targeted raids and patrols conducted in collaboration with other security agencies to dismantle criminal networks and apprehend suspected accomplices.

The eight suspects identified as suspected kidnappers are Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu. The four individuals identified as suspected informants are Shuaibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew.

According to the police, the suspected informants are being investigated over allegations that they supplied criminal groups with intelligence about security movements and police operations. The command said preliminary investigations indicated that two suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information to criminal elements, although the statement did not identify them.

The police said investigations were continuing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement, identify other accomplices and pursue those connected to the reported criminal activities. The command also said it was concerned that information leaks could undermine security operations and endanger officers and residents.

In a related development, the Kaduna State Government released three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to strengthen security operations in Millennium City and surrounding communities. According to the police statement, the vehicles were approved in response to security challenges in the area and are expected to improve the command’s operational capacity. The statement did not provide further details about the recovered rifles.

The command also disclosed that a government delegation led by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Malam Sani Kila, met traditional rulers, residents and other stakeholders in the affected communities on October 10. The meeting focused on improving cooperation between communities, government officials and security agencies in addressing kidnapping and other security threats. Kila reportedly urged residents, landlords and youth groups to report suspected criminal activities promptly.

Commissioner of Police CP Muhammad Rabiu ordered the immediate deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources to the affected areas. The command noted that the forested surroundings of Millennium City presented geographical challenges and said the deployment was intended to strengthen surveillance and improve response times.

The police urged residents to remain vigilant, provide credible information and cooperate with security agencies. The command said clearance operations targeting suspected criminal hideouts would continue as part of efforts to disrupt criminal networks, support the rescue of kidnapped victims and protect lives and property across Kaduna State