The Police Command in Kaduna State has rescued two kidnapped victims, arrested 12 suspects and neutralised four suspected kidnappers during clearance operations in Ikara Local Government Area of the state.
The command also recovered one AK-47 rifle, two locally-made guns and three sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp during the operations.
DSP Mansir Hassan, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kaduna command, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu.
Hassan said the operations were conducted as part of the command’s sustained efforts to dislodge bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements from their hideouts across the state.
He said that on Sept. 16, at about 5 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ikara, led police operatives, in collaboration with members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS), to the residence of one Haruna Yakubu in Yoromowa, Auchanawa Village, following credible intelligence.
He said the operatives encountered armed resistance on arrival, resulting in a gun duel with suspected kidnappers.
According to him, the operatives rescued two kidnapped victims and neutralised four suspected kidnappers during the encounter.
He identified three of the suspects as Kabiru Haruna, Suleman Abdulkarim and Yusuf Haruna, alias Burgagau, all of Yoromowa, Auchanawa Village, adding that the identity of the fourth suspect was yet to be established.
Hassan said the operation also led to the arrest of 12 suspects allegedly connected with banditry in the area.
He said those arrested included Yahaya Hassan, 60; Usman Hassan, 40; Abdul Muminu Hassan, 35; Jafaru Adamu, 25; Buhari Usman, 25; and Usman Bashir, 25.
Others were Samaila Yahaya, 25; Awwalu Adamu, 20; Maimuna Haruna, 57; Suhaila Kabiru, 30; and Maimuna Yusuf, 30, all of Yoromowa, Auchanawa Village.
The PPRO added that Hassana Usman, 50, of Yakamalam, Ikara Town, was also arrested.
He said the suspects were assisting the police in establishing their individual roles and the wider network allegedly behind the criminal activities.
Hassan further disclosed that on Sept. 15, at about 6 a.m., the DPO, Makarfi, led police operatives, in collaboration with KADVS personnel, on a clearance operation around Arabu Forest Reserve in Makarfi Local Government Area.
He said the operation covered the area from Durum through Nasarawan Doya to Arabu River Bank, bordering Soba Local Government Area.
According to him, the operatives recovered two locally-made guns, three sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and one military camouflage T-shirt abandoned in the area.
He said the joint patrol and clearance operation was ongoing to prevent criminal elements from regrouping or establishing hideouts in the area.
The commissioner commended the police personnel, KADVS and vigilante members involved in the operations, as well as members of the public whose timely information contributed to the successes.
He reaffirmed the command’s determination to sustain intelligence-led clearance operations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks, rescuing victims and restoring lasting peace across Kaduna State.
(NAN)
