By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Kaduna state Police Command, North-Central Nigeria, said it has arrested a notorious kidnapper and recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle alongside a huge cache of illicit drugs.
The kidnapper was said to be part of a gang that abducted a district head on August 14,2024.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Mansir Hassan, in a statement on Thursday, said on December 25, 2024, officers from the Saminaka Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), arrested 25-year-old Sule Muhammad, a resident of Kargi Village in Lere Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
Hassan added: “Acting on credible intelligence, the team apprehended Muhammad, who had been linked to multiple kidnapping operations, including the abduction of a district head on August 14, 2024. Although five members of his gang were arrested at the time, Muhammad had evaded capture until his Christmas Day arrest.”
The police spokesman also disclosed that during the operation, officers recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle.
According to the PPRO, “Muhammad confessed to being part of a notorious gang operating in the region, and further investigations are ongoing.”
Hassan further revealed other successes recorded by the Command.
He stated: “In a separate operation on December 26, 2024, officers from the Makarfi Division intercepted three vehicles suspected of transporting illegal substances in Marke Area along the Kano-Zaria Expressway. Upon searching the vehicles — a grey Golf car, a dark blue Golf car, and a red Ford minibus — the police uncovered 58 blocks of Arizona (AZ) and 33 bags of cannabis. The vehicles and items have been secured as investigations continue to identify the suspects involved.
“The Commissioner of Police commended the officers for their diligence and assured residents of the Command’s determination to combat drug trafficking and related crimes in the state.”
