Police arrest 523 suspects, rescue 102 kidnap victims in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has announced the arrest of no fewer than 523 suspects for various criminal offences across the state between October and November 2024.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Abdullahi, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in the state capital on Monday.

According to Abdullahi, the arrests were made for crimes including kidnapping, cattle rustling, phone snatching, and rape. He also revealed that several arms and ammunition were recovered, including five AK-47 rifles, two pistols, and one submachine gun.

Highlighting the Command’s achievements, he stated that 102 kidnapped victims were rescued during recent operations.

“Since assuming duty as the 44th Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State on 21st October 2024, I, CP Ibrahim Abdullahi, have prioritised proactive policing, community engagement, and collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of all residents of Kaduna State,” he said.

“I am pleased to inform you that the strategies we have implemented have yielded significant operational successes, thanks to the unwavering dedication and professionalism of our officers and men.

“A total of 523 suspects have been arrested for various criminal activities, including 26 kidnappers, 12 cattle rustlers, 97 phone snatchers, 17 car snatchers, and 10 rape suspects, among others.

“As we approach the ember months, efforts have been intensified to combat crime across the state. Black spots known for criminal activities have been raided, leading to the arrest of over 350 suspects. Among those apprehended are individuals involved in phone snatching and Sara Suka, demonstrating our commitment to improving public safety and reducing crime during this critical period.

“The Command also recovered five AK-47 rifles, two pistols, one submachine gun, 283 rustled cows, 20 sheep, 105 rounds of live ammunition, and rescued 102 kidnap victims.”

He further stated that, on November 24, 2024, operatives foiled a kidnapping attempt, successfully rescuing 89 victims and recovering a fabricated AK-47 rifle along with five rounds of live ammunition.

Abdullahi attributed the successes to the dedication and professionalism of the Command’s personnel and the support of the public.

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Among the notable achievements were the arrest of a notorious kidnapper, the recovery of a locally made firearm, and the arrest of four members of a high-profile kidnapping syndicate.

Additionally, the Command apprehended a suspected cattle rustler, recovering a locally made firearm and charms used by the gang, as well as two suspected tricycle thieves and a tricycle glass panel.

Other successes included the arrest of a suspected gun runner, the recovery of a submachine gun, the arrest of six suspected kidnappers, and the rescue of two kidnapped victims.

The Commissioner commended the public for their cooperation and assured them that the Command would continue to work tirelessly to maintain law and order in the state.

“We are grateful for the support of the public, and we assure you that we will continue to work hard to ensure that our citizens are safe and secure,” he said.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, reiterated the Command’s commitment to reducing crime to the barest minimum in the state.

“The Kaduna State Police Command is dedicated to maintaining law and order and will continue to work diligently to ensure that our citizens are safe and secure,” he said.

The Command urged the public to continue supporting the police in their efforts to combat crime in the state.

“We call on members of the public to support our efforts in tackling crime and criminality. We assure you that we will keep working tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all citizens,” the Commissioner added.