N78 Million Solar Inverters, 410 Cattle, 10 Guns Recovered as Kaduna Police Arrest 25 Suspects

N78 Million Solar Inverters, 410 Cattle, 10 Guns Recovered as Kaduna Police Arrest 25 Suspects

The Kaduna State Police Command has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks operating across the state, announcing the arrest of 25 suspects and the recovery of property valued at nearly N78 million during a two-week intelligence-led operation. Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, who addressed journalists at the Command Headquarters in Kaduna on Tuesday, described the crackdown as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against kidnapping, armed banditry, gunrunning, and counterfeit currency trafficking in the state. According to the police chief, the command successfully arrested 16 suspected kidnappers, three suspected gunrunners, and six individuals allegedly belonging to a syndicate dealing in fake United States dollar notes. The operations also led to the neutralisation of a notorious kidnap kingpin, further disrupting criminal activities in rural communities.

The command recovered a wide range of stolen goods and illegal items during the operations, including 190 solar inverters valued at approximately N69 million, 10 lithium batteries worth about N9 million, 10 firearms of different calibres, 170 counterfeit US dollar notes, 83 packs of hard drugs, 32 stolen mobile phones, two plasma television sets, one stolen Toyota Sienna vehicle, 410 rustled cattle, and an additional 80 cattle and 10 sheep abandoned by fleeing rustlers. The solar equipment, which formed the bulk of the recovered property, was traced to a warehouse in Zaria. Preliminary investigations revealed that the inverters and batteries were stolen from a container while in transit to Zaria, and the police are working to track down other members of the theft network.

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In one of the most notable arrests, police apprehended Aisha Barau, a 20-year-old woman, in Ramin Kura Village while she was allegedly attempting to exchange counterfeit US dollar notes for local currency. During interrogation, Barau reportedly confessed that the fake currency was supplied to her by Abdullahi Muhammad and Danbala Jibrin. Her statement led operatives to the other members of the syndicate, who are now in custody and assisting with investigations. The Commissioner warned members of the public to be vigilant when accepting foreign currency, as the syndicate had been operating in the area for some time.

In a cross-border operation, the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested three suspected gunrunners in Jos, Plateau State, following credible intelligence. The suspects—Luka Samuel, John Paul, and Musa Elisha—were found in possession of two locally fabricated pistols. During interrogation, the trio confessed to supplying firearms and ammunition to bandits operating across different parts of Northern Nigeria. CP Muhammad stated that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the gunrunning network, which is believed to have supplied weapons used in several kidnappings and attacks in Kaduna and neighbouring states.

After months of surveillance, police operatives working alongside the ‘Yan Sa Kai vigilante group arrested Abdullahi Mohammed, popularly known as “Aala,” a suspected kidnap kingpin. Mohammed confessed to masterminding multiple kidnapping operations in Kuzuntu Village, Ikara Local Government Area, and other surrounding communities. He also admitted to participating in the killing of two vigilante members during an attack last year. A AK-47 rifle and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspect, who is now in police custody and will face multiple charges, including murder and kidnapping.

In a separate development, police recovered a Toyota Sienna vehicle that was stolen from the premises of a Juma’at Mosque in Ungwan Rimi, Kaduna. The vehicle was traced to Zaria, where one Mohammed Shehu was arrested. Shehu’s confession led detectives to Zakari Abubakar, who allegedly specialised in manufacturing duplicate vehicle keys used by car thieves. The command is investigating whether the duo is linked to a larger vehicle theft syndicate operating in the state.

Police operatives also engaged suspected cattle rustlers in a gun battle after they attacked Damanko Village in Zaria Local Government Area. The suspects fled into the bush, abandoning 80 cattle and 10 sheep they had stolen. Two livestock owners who sustained injuries during the attack were rushed to a nearby hospital and are currently receiving treatment. The command has intensified patrols in the area to prevent further attacks.

The police also arrested two suspected drug suppliers—Alex Odoh and Daniel Eze—for allegedly supplying hard drugs to bandits operating around Kasuwar Magani. A large quantity of illicit substances worth millions of naira was recovered from the suspects, who reportedly confessed to supplying drugs to criminal groups. The command believes the arrests will significantly disrupt the drug supply chain feeding banditry in the region.

Commissioner Muhammad commended the officers, vigilante groups, and other security agencies involved in the operations, and assured residents that the command would continue to collaborate with the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and local vigilantes to tackle insecurity. He urged members of the public to support security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could help prevent crime and improve public safety. “The fight against crime is a collective responsibility,” Muhammad said. “We cannot do it alone. We need the cooperation of every citizen.” All suspects are currently in custody and will be charged in court upon the completion of investigations, the Commissioner confirmed.

N78 Million Solar Inverters, 410 Cattle, 10 Guns Recovered as Kaduna Police Arrest 25 Suspects