By MOHAMMAD ‌‌‍‍‌‍⁠⁠‍‍‍‌⁠‌‌TIJJANI

The Police Command in Kaduna State says it has arrested 12 suspects in connection with kidnapping and recovered AK-47 rifles during clearance operations in Millennium City and Maraban Rido.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, made this known in a statement issued on Monday in Kaduna.

Hassan said the operations were carried out in collaboration with other security agencies following recent security challenges in the two communities.

He said eight suspected kidnappers were arrested, including Dauda Murna, Usman Abdullahi, Abubakar Sulaiman, Saleh Abdullahi, Usman Muhammed, Mathias Moses, Makama John and Tafarki Audu.

He added that four suspected informants, including Shu’aibu Sabiu, Audu Makama, Simon Moses and Amadu Mathew were also arrested, while AK-47 rifles were recovered.

According to him, the command is concerned about individuals who allegedly supply kidnappers with intelligence on security movements and operations.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that two of the suspects allegedly confessed to leaking information about police operations to criminal elements, thereby undermining security efforts and endangering the lives of security personnel and residents,” he said.

Hassan said investigation was ongoing to establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement, identify other accomplices and bring all those connected to justice.

He said the state government had released three additional Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to the command to strengthen its operational capacity and enhance security in the affected areas.

The PPRO assured residents that clearance operations on criminal hideouts would be sustained to dismantle criminal networks, disrupt their activities and facilitate the rescue of kidnapped victims.

He said that on Oct. 10, a high-powered government delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Malam Sani Kila, and other security chiefs held an engagement meeting with traditional rulers, community members and other stakeholders from the affected areas.

During the meeting, Kila reiterated that security remained a collective responsibility and urged residents, community leaders, landlords and youth groups to promptly report individuals suspected of aiding or abetting criminal activities.

Hassan said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Muhammad Rabiu, noted that Millennium City “is largely surrounded by forested areas and lies within the outskirts of the Kaduna metropolis.”

He quoted the CP as urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station.

The CP ordered the immediate deployment of additional tactical personnel, operational vehicles and other security resources to the affected areas to intensify surveillance, improve response times and prevent further criminal activities.

Rabiu called on members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and cooperative with security agencies by providing credible and timely information to fight kidnapping and other criminal activities.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state. (NAN)