Police intercept 21 AK-47 rifles, rescue 17 kidnapped victims in Kaduna
The Force Headquarters has announced the rescue of 17 kidnapped victims and recovery of 21 locally fabricated AK-47 rifles in two separate operations in Kaduna State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Oluiyiwa Adejobi said at a news conference in Abuja that the 17 rescued persons were kidnapped on March 3, 2025 from Sarkin Pawa in Niger State.
“On 9th April 2025, in a remarkable feat of inter-agency collaboration and strategic intelligence deployment, operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), successfully rescued 17 victims who had been abducted on 3rd March 2025 from Sarkin Pawa, Niger State.
“This operation, notably achieved through a non-kinetic approach, evidences the commitment of the IGP to leveraging intelligence-led policing and inter-agency synergy to address security challenges,” he said.
He added that all the rescued individuals were examined at the Police Clinic in Kaduna and certified to be in stable and sound health.
Adejobi said that the 21 AK-47 rifles were intercepted at Kawo motor Park in a commercial vehicle in Kaduna.
“On the same day, 9th April 2025, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit acting on credible intelligence intercepted a commercial Volkswagen Sharan vehicle at the Kawo Central Motor Park in Kaduna. Upon thorough search, officers discovered 21 fabricated AK-47 rifles concealed within the vehicle.
“The suspect, identified as Jamilu Suleiman, a 27-year-old male resident of Rafin Guza, Kaduna, was arrested and is currently in custody.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect confessed that he was instructed by a union member to deliver the firearms to an unidentified individual in Kaduna.”
The Force spokesman said a full-scale investigation has been launched to dismantle the arms trafficking network and bring all perpetrators to book.
Meanwhile, the police said they dislodged a gang of 30 armed robbers on April 9, who attacked Doggi Farm, located along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway at about 0500hrs.
Adejobi said during the exchange of gunfire, the police team from Tafa Division killed two of the armed robbers while others fled.
“Two other injured suspects were apprehended and taken to the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Memorial Hospital, Sabon Wuse, for treatment. Unfortunately, one of them was later confirmed dead, while the other is alive and currently assisting the Police with further investigation.
“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang and bring them to justice,” he said.
