Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspected bandits and the recovery of one AK-47 riffle and five motorcycles during a routine patrol in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Mansir Hassan in a statement, said the suspects were arrested at about 3:10 p.m. on June 6, 2024 while conducting a routine patrol near the Agoro Level Crossing area, by a team from the Tudun Wada Division in Zaria.
According to him in the statement, a suspect identified as Babangida Sani, 37, from Faskari Local Government Area in Katsina State who was traveling from Jos to Faskari was intercepted and an AK-47 was found on him.
“The motorcycle driver, upon witnessing the search, fled the scene but was promptly arrested and taken into custody by the officers”, Mansir said.
He continued, “On the same June 4, 2024, at 1800 hours, the Anti-Car Theft Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department acted swiftly on a tip-off and recovered two abandoned vehicles, a Toyota Matrix (Reg No: DKA 321 TT) and a Toyota Camry LE (Reg No: KGK 114 AA), in Mogadishu, Kaduna.
“The following day, on June 5, 2024, at about 1215 hours, a white Toyota Hilux van (Reg No: GWA 845 CY), reported stolen from Karji Junction, was also recovered at Yazid Hotel on Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna.
“Further investigations led to the arrest of three suspects: Sa’ad Abdullahi, Salihu Musa, and Usman Zubairu Ganu, all from Zamfara State. They were found in possession of two additional vehicles, a Honda Accord (Reg No: RBC 143 MQ) and a Mercedes Benz (Reg No: BKD 137 SB), also suspected to be stolen.
“In another operation On June 5, 2024, at about 2105 hours, the DPO mellinium City Division received a report from the Sabon Gida vigilante group in Maraban Rido Village, Sabo AOR, arrested about three armed men on a motorcycle seen heading through a known bandit route towards the Eastern Bypass. The men were suspected to be carrying concealed rifles.
“Acting swiftly on this information, the DPO mobilized a combined team of police patrol officers, a military strike force, and local vigilantes. An ambush was set at strategic locations, leading to the interception of the suspects near Kakura 2 Village along Umar Musa Yar’Adua Way.
“Two of the suspects managed to escape, but the motorcycle rider, identified as Buhari Madaki, 26, was captured along with his red Jincheng motorcycle. Upon questioning, Madaki was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for taking the dangerous route late at night.
“Further discreet investigation into all above the incident is ongoing”, he said.