The Kaduna State Police Command says it has arrested 24 suspected kidnappers and recovered firearms, more than 500 rounds of live ammunition, 38 live cartridges, two AK-47 magazines and a bag containing charms in a series of operations across the state.
According to the commissioner, the operations were driven by intelligence gathering, surveillance, rapid response, proactive patrols and collaboration with other security agencies and community-based security structures. In one of the major operations, personnel of Operation Fushin Kada attached to Kudan Local Government Area arrested 45-year-old Abdullahi Ibrahim during a routine patrol around Maraban Kanja on September 24, 2026. Police said a search recovered two locally made AK-47 rifles, nine locally made long guns, 10 locally made pistols, two AK-47 magazines, 50 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition and 38 live cartridges.
The police said Ibrahim told investigators that he obtained the weapons and ammunition from two individuals identified as Saidu Magari and Mallam Ado, who are currently at large. In another operation, police recovered three rifles from a vehicle intercepted at Dogarawa in Zaria following intelligence concerning suspected banditry and cattle-rustling activities. The weapons were identified as an AK-47 rifle, a Type-06 rifle and an LAR rifle, all with empty magazines.
The command also announced the arrest of Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar over suspected arms and ammunition trafficking. Police said surveillance led to the recovery of 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type-06 ammunition. Separately, 20-year-old Usman Alhaji Dahiru was arrested after police and local vigilantes responded to an attack in Gimi Ward, Makarfi, where a gun battle reportedly forced the attackers to flee. A locally made rifle, pistol, three cartridges, one round of ammunition and a bag containing charms were recovered, according to the police.
