The Kaduna Police Command has recovered a pump-action rifle, nine locally fabricated firearms, two stolen vehicles and 332 suspected counterfeit 100-dollar notes during separate clearance operations across the state.
The command said the operations were part of efforts to deny criminals freedom of movement, protect farmers and create a safer environment for residents.
In a statement on Thursday, the Public Relations Officer of the Kaduna Police Command, Mansir Hassan, said security operatives recovered the pump-action rifle, two cartridges and a motorcycle after engaging armed bandits in Kidandan, Giwa Local Government Area, on August 31.
According to him, the operation followed information that armed bandits were disturbing farmers in the area.
He said the Divisional Police Officer in Kidandan immediately mobilised personnel of the Police Mobile Force attached to APV Kaya, alongside members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service, to the area.
Hassan said the bandits opened fire on sighting the security team but were forced to flee into the surrounding bush due to the superior firepower of the operatives, abandoning the firearm, ammunition and motorcycle.
In a separate operation around the Maraban Jos axis, the command said police operatives mounted roadblocks along access routes following credible intelligence on the movement of suspected gunrunners.
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The police said the security presence forced some of the suspects to divert their vehicles while others fled into the bush, abandoning nine fabricated firearms.
The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Similarly, three suspects were arrested on September 2 at Panteka, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, while allegedly attempting to sell a black GMK Jeep worth about N70 million for N4 million.
The suspects were identified as Hashiru Ibrahim, Mohammed Ibrahim and Umar Hassan. Preliminary investigation, according to the police, revealed that Hashiru allegedly stole the vehicle from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he worked as a driver for a Chinese company.
The vehicle was reportedly being prepared for dismantling and sale in parts before the suspects were arrested.
In another operation, police operatives attached to the Surveillance Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department intercepted a white Toyota Hilux reportedly stolen from Agadez, Niger Republic.
The vehicle was intercepted in Kaduna on August 31, and verification confirmed that its chassis number matched that of the vehicle reported stolen in the Republic of Niger.
A suspect, identified as Abubakar Abdullahi, was arrested while in possession of the vehicle.
The command also arrested one Kabir Yusuf in Barnawa, Kaduna, following intelligence that he was in possession of suspected counterfeit United States currency.
A search conducted on the suspect led to the recovery of 332 pieces of suspected counterfeit US $100 notes and six counterfeit N1,000 notes. The police said preliminary investigation revealed that Yusuf allegedly obtained the counterfeit currencies from one Sahibu Ruhan of Kano State, who is currently at large.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the accomplice and uncover the wider network behind the circulation of the counterfeit currencies.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna, Rabiu Muhammad, has commended members of the public for providing timely and actionable information, stressing that the successes recorded were largely made possible through public cooperation.
He urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activities promptly to the police and other security agencies.
