Kaduna Police Recover 332 Fake $100 Notes, N70m Stolen Jeep, Firearms in Major Crackdown

The Kaduna State Police Command has recovered 332 pieces of suspected counterfeit $100 notes, nine locally fabricated firearms, a pump-action rifle, and two stolen vehicles in a series of operations across the state.

Three suspects were arrested while attempting to sell a stolen black GMK Jeep valued at N70 million for just N4 million after preparing it for dismantling.

A Major Crackdown on Criminal Networks

ValidViewNetwork gathered that the Kaduna State Police Command has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks operating across the state, recovering a cache of illegal weapons, counterfeit currency, and stolen vehicles in a series of coordinated operations.

In a statement issued on Thursday, September 3, 2026, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, disclosed that the operations were part of sustained efforts to deny criminals freedom of movement and create a safer environment for residents, particularly farmers seeking access to their farmlands.

Farmers Under Attack

The command received information at about 10 a.m. on August 31, 2026, that armed bandits were terrorising farmers in the Kidandan area of Giwa Local Government Area.

The Divisional Police Officer in Kidandan subsequently mobilised personnel of the Police Mobile Force attached to APV Kaya, alongside members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service, to confront the bandits.

The police said the bandits opened fire on sighting the security team but fled into the surrounding bush after the operatives responded.

The fleeing suspects allegedly abandoned a pump-action rifle loaded with two cartridges and a motorcycle.

“Due to the superior firepower of the security forces, the bandits were forced to flee into the surrounding bush, abandoning one pump-action rifle with two cartridges and one motorcycle,” the statement said.

Gunrunning Operation Disrupted

In a separate operation around the Maraban Jos axis, police operatives reportedly mounted roadblocks following intelligence on the movement of suspected gunrunners.

The command said the security presence forced some of the suspects to divert their vehicles, while others escaped into the bush.

Nine locally fabricated firearms were allegedly abandoned and recovered during the operation. The command said efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspects.

The Stolen N70 Million Jeep

Meanwhile, three suspects were arrested at Panteka, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, while allegedly attempting to sell a stolen black GMK Jeep.

The suspects were identified as Hashiru Ibrahim, Mohammed Ibrahim and Umar Hassan.

According to the police, the vehicle, estimated to be worth about N70 million, was being offered for N4 million and had already been prepared for dismantling and sale in parts.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Hashiru allegedly stole the vehicle from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he worked as a driver for a Chinese company.

The police said the vehicle had been recovered and secured, while investigation was ongoing to identify other members of the alleged syndicate.

Vehicle Stolen from Niger Republic Intercepted

Similarly, the command’s Surveillance Unit and operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department intercepted a white Toyota Hilux allegedly stolen from Agadez, Niger Republic.

The vehicle was intercepted in Kaduna on August 31 following credible intelligence, while one Abubakar Abdullahi, who was allegedly found in possession of it, was arrested.

“Upon conducting verification, the operatives confirmed that the chassis number of the vehicle corresponded with that of the vehicle reported stolen from Niger Republic,” the statement added.

The vehicle was subsequently taken into police custody for further investigation.

Counterfeit Currency Bust

In another operation on the same day, the command arrested one Kabir Yusuf of India Road, Barnawa, Kaduna, over alleged possession of counterfeit currency.

Hassan said the suspect was arrested following intelligence that he was in possession of suspected fake US $100 notes.

A search allegedly conducted on him led to the recovery of 332 pieces of suspected counterfeit $100 notes and six counterfeit N1,000 notes.

During preliminary investigation, the suspect allegedly confessed to obtaining the counterfeit currencies from one Sahibu Ruhan of Kano State.

The command said efforts were ongoing to track down the source of the counterfeit notes and dismantle the network.

A Lesson for Nigerian Youths

This operation is a stark reminder that crime does not pay. The suspects who stole a N70 million jeep planned to sell it for a paltry N4 million after dismantling it for parts.

Others were caught with counterfeit dollars, hoping to deceive unsuspecting victims.

The same politicians and godfathers who profit from criminal networks will never allow their own children to engage in such activities.

Their children are safely tucked away in universities or comfortable homes.

ADVERTISEMENT

For young Nigerians, the lesson is clear: the pursuit of quick money through crime is a dead end.

The counterfeit dollars, the stolen vehicles, the illegal firearms, all of it leads to one place: prison.

The N70 million jeep was worth millions, but the criminals were caught before they could profit from it.Choose integrity over crime.

Build a legitimate future. And never allow yourself to be used as a tool for someone else’s criminal enterprise.