Police
The Police Command in Kaduna State has recovered 10 firearms, two stolen vehicles and 332 suspected counterfeit U.S. dollar notes in clearance operations across the state.
The command disclosed this in a statement on Thursday by its spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan.
Hassan said the recoveries were made during operations conducted between Aug. 31 and Sept. 2 in different parts of the state.
He said on Aug. 31, armed bandits sighted disturbing farmers in Kidandan area of Giwa Local Government Area engaged security personnel in a gun battle.
According to him, the police, supported by personnel of the Police Mobile Force and members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVS), responded to the attack and forced the bandits to flee into the bush.
He said the fleeing suspects abandoned a pump-action rifle, two cartridges and a motorcycle.
Hassan also said police operatives acting on intelligence about suspected gunrunners around the Maraban Jos axis mounted roadblocks on access routes, forcing the suspects to abandon their firearms and flee.
He said nine fabricated firearms were recovered from the area, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
Hassan said on Wednesday, police operatives arrested three suspects at Panteka, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna.
He said the suspects were intercepted while allegedly attempting to sell a black GMK Jeep valued at about N70 million for N4 million, after preparing it for dismantling and sale in parts.
According to him, preliminary investigation revealed that one of the suspects allegedly stole the vehicle from Abeokuta where he worked as a driver for a Chinese company.
The PPRO added that the vehicle had been recovered and secured, while investigation was ongoing to identify other members of the syndicate.
He further said police operatives of the Surveillance Unit, State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), recovered a white Toyota Hilux allegedly stolen from Agadez, Niger Republic.
Hassan said the vehicle was intercepted in Kaduna on Aug. 31, adding that verification of its chassis number confirmed that it corresponded with that of the vehicle reported stolen in Niger Republic.
He said one Abubakar Abdullahi, found in possession of the vehicle, was arrested and the vehicle remained in police custody for further investigation.
The PPRO said the command also arrested one Kabir Yusuf of Barnawa, Kaduna, on Aug. 31, following intelligence that he was in possession of suspected counterfeit U.S. currency.
He said a search led to the recovery of 332 pieces of suspected counterfeit 100-dollar notes and six counterfeit N1,000 notes.
According to him, preliminary investigation showed that Yusuf confessed to obtaining the counterfeit currencies from one Sahibu Ruhan of Kano State, who is currently at large.
Hassan said efforts were ongoing to arrest Ruhan and uncover the wider network allegedly involved in the circulation of counterfeit currencies.
The Commissioner of Police appreciated members of the public for providing timely and actionable information to the command.
He urged residents to continue reporting suspicious activities to the police and other security agencies to enhance security and protect lives and property across the state.
