The Kaduna State Police Command says it has arrested 10 suspected armed bandits and recovered eight firearms in a series of coordinated security operations carried out across different parts of Kaduna State.
The operations, conducted by personnel of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit alongside other tactical teams, were part of ongoing efforts by the command to tackle violent crime, banditry, and the illegal circulation of firearms within the state.
In a statement released on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, disclosed that one of the major breakthroughs followed the transfer of a criminal conspiracy and illegal firearms dealing case from the Ikara Divisional Headquarters on May 1, 2026.
According to the police spokesperson, detectives handling the investigation arrested five suspects identified as Haruna Dauda, Meshack John, Iliya Dangi, Joshua Maigida, and Audu Musa.
During the operation, security operatives recovered four fabricated AK-47 rifles along with two locally made pistols believed to have been intended for criminal activities.
Police said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were allegedly involved in the illegal sale of firearms and ammunition to armed bandits operating in Ikara and nearby communities.
The statement further noted that the suspects reportedly confessed to supplying weapons to other individuals already arrested by the police, including Timothy Yohana, Ado Mato, and Hamisu Yalwa, all said to be residents of Ikara.
Authorities added that investigations are ongoing as security agencies intensify efforts to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected arms trafficking network.
In a separate intelligence-led operation carried out on May 5, 2026, at about 8 p.m., police operatives arrested two additional suspects, Yunusa Yahaya, 40, and Mustapha Yahaya, 30, in Kubau Local Government Area.
According to the command, officers recovered a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and 7.5mm AK-47 ammunition from the suspects during the operation.
Meanwhile, another raid conducted by the police targeted the residence of a suspect identified as Mathew Tanko in Gidan Jina, Furana Village, located in Ikara Local Government Area. Although the suspect escaped before the arrival of security operatives, officers recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle from the premises.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, warned individuals engaged in the illegal possession, production, and supply of firearms to criminal groups to desist immediately.
He stressed that the command would continue intelligence-based operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and improving security across Kaduna State.
