Gun battle in Kaduna: Four kidnappers killed, 12 arrested; 2 victims rescued
By Mohammad Tijjani
The Kaduna State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped victims, neutralised four suspected kidnappers and arrested 12 others during clearance operations in Ikara Local Government Area.
The command also recovered an AK-47 rifle, two locally made guns and three sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp during the operations.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Rabiu.
Hassan said the operations formed part of the command’s sustained efforts to dismantle the hideouts of bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the state.
He said that at about 5 a.m. on September 16, 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.
According to him, the operatives encountered armed resistance upon arrival, resulting in a gun duel with the suspected kidnappers.
Hassan said the confrontation led to the rescue of two kidnapped victims and the neutralisation of four suspected kidnappers.
He identified three of the suspects as Kabiru Haruna, Suleman Abdulkarim and Yusuf Haruna, also known as Burgagau, all from Yoromowa, Auchanawa Village. He said the identity of the fourth suspect had yet to be established.
The police spokesperson added that 12 suspects allegedly linked to banditry in the area were arrested during the operation.
Those arrested included Yahaya Hassan, 60; Usman Hassan, 40; Abdul Muminu Hassan, 35; Jafaru Adamu, 25; Buhari Usman, 25; Usman Bashir, 25; Samaila Yahaya, 25; Awwalu Adamu, 20; Maimuna Haruna, 57; Suhaila Kabiru, 30; and Maimuna Yusuf, 30, all of Yoromowa, Auchanawa Village.
Hassana Usman, 50, of Yakamalam, Ikara Town, was also arrested.
Hassan said the suspects were assisting the police in establishing their individual roles and uncovering the wider network allegedly behind the criminal activities.
He further disclosed that on September 15, at about 6 a.m., the DPO, Makarfi, led police operatives and KADVS personnel on a clearance operation around the Arabu Forest Reserve in Makarfi Local Government Area.
The operation covered areas from Durum through Nasarawan Doya to the Arabu River Bank, bordering Soba Local Government Area.
According to Hassan, the team recovered two locally made guns, three sacks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and a 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 new hideouts in the area.
The Commissioner of Police commended the personnel of the police, KADVS and vigilante groups involved in the operations, as well as members of the public whose timely information contributed to the successes.
Rabiu reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining intelligence-led clearance operations aimed at dismantling kidnapping networks, rescuing victims and restoring lasting peace across Kaduna State.