The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested over 65 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists and murderers, rescuing 15 victims as well as recovering 30 sophisticated weapons from the bandits in their different hideouts along Abuja/Kaduna Expressway.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Yekini Ayoku, said: “The command achieved a lot in the past seven months when the command tackled the bandits. We have declared war against the bandits. We are going after them through intelligence gathering.
“Through that we arrested some of the bandits and neutralised others.
On September 4, 2022, bandits kidnapped one Yusuf in Barde, Ikare Local Government. The abductors demanded N50 million as ransom.
“Our operatives promptly caught up with the bandits’ motorcycle. They jumped off the motorcycle and fled into the bush while the victim was rescued. Some loaded AK47 rifles were recovered from them.
“Operatives attached to the Hunkuyi Division while on patrol along Zaria/Kano Expressway on suspicion, found a Ford mini bus with Reg. no. ZAR532XR, which the hoodlums fled with despite carrying bullet wounds.
“They left behind two female occupants who were rescued. The operatives recovered AK47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live 7.62´39mm ammunition.
“The police joint patrol with military team and Operation Thunder Strike exchanged fire with armed bandits and rescued two kidnapped Chinese expatriates and two others. They abandoned eight motorcycles
along Sabon Sara while attempting to gain access to the Kaduna/Abuja Expressway.
“Meanwhile, police rescued Halima and Suwaiba, who were kidnapped on September 15, 2022, at Dindibis Gangara of the same Galadimawa district in Giwa Local Government. The bandits abandoned their victims and fled.
“Police and military raided their hideouts on Kaduna/Abuja Expressway.
Twenty suspected armed bandits were arrested and some sophisticated weapons recovered from them.
“Operatives arrested another set of 15 armed robbers recovering local guns and charms from them. All the arrested suspects will soon be charged to court.