Published by Osasere Edomwonyi Ikpoba
The Kaduna State Police Command has dealt a significant blow to criminal networks operating across the state, recovering 332 pieces of suspected counterfeit $100 notes, nine locally fabricated firearms, a pump-action rifle, and two stolen vehicles in a series of intelligence-led operations conducted between August 31 and September 2, 2026. Three suspects were arrested in connection with the recovery of a black GMK Jeep worth an estimated N70 million, which they had allegedly planned to sell for just N4 million after dismantling it for spare parts.
The command disclosed these developments in a statement issued on Thursday by its Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police. Hassan said the operations were part of sustained efforts by the command to deny criminals freedom of movement and create a safer environment for residents, particularly farmers seeking access to their farmlands.
According to the statement, the first operation was triggered by intelligence received at about 10 a.m. on August 31 that armed bandits were disturbing farmers in the Kidandan area of Giwa Local Government Area. The Divisional Police Officer in Kidandan subsequently mobilised Police Mobile Force personnel attached to APV Kaya, alongside members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service, to confront the bandits. Upon sighting the security team, the bandits opened fire but were forced to flee into the surrounding bush after security operatives responded with superior firepower. The fleeing criminals abandoned a pump-action rifle with two cartridges and a motorcycle.
In a separate operation around the Maraban Jos axis, police operatives mounted roadblocks following intelligence on the movement of suspected gunrunners. The security presence forced some of the suspects to divert their vehicles, while others escaped into the bush. Nine fabricated firearms were allegedly abandoned and recovered during the operation. The command said efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing suspects.
The most dramatic breakthrough came on Wednesday, September 2, when police operatives arrested three suspects at Panteka, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, while they were allegedly attempting to sell a stolen black GMK Jeep. The suspects were identified as Hashiru Ibrahim, Mohammed Ibrahim, and Umar Hassan. According to the police, the vehicle, estimated to be worth about N70 million, was being offered for N4 million and had already been prepared for dismantling and sale in parts.
Preliminary investigation revealed that Hashiru Ibrahim allegedly stole the vehicle from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he worked as a driver for a Chinese company. The police said the vehicle had been recovered and secured, while investigation was ongoing to identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In another operation on the same day, the command's Surveillance Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department intercepted a white Toyota Hilux allegedly stolen from Agadez, Niger Republic. The vehicle was intercepted in Kaduna on August 31 following credible intelligence, and one Abubakar Abdullahi, who was allegedly found in possession of it, was arrested. Upon conducting verification, the operatives confirmed that the chassis number of the vehicle corresponded with that of the vehicle reported stolen from Niger Republic.
The command also arrested one Kabir Yusuf of 17 India Road, Barnawa, Kaduna, on August 31 over suspected possession of counterfeit currency. A search allegedly conducted on him led to the recovery of 332 pieces of suspected counterfeit $100 notes, valued at $33,200, and six counterfeit N1,000 notes. During preliminary investigation, Yusuf allegedly confessed to obtaining the counterfeit dollars from one Sahibu Ruhan of Kano State, who is currently at large. The police said efforts were ongoing to arrest Ruhan and uncover the wider network allegedly involved in the circulation of counterfeit currencies.
The Commissioner of Police commended members of the public for providing actionable information that assisted the operations and urged residents to continue reporting suspicious movements and activities to security agencies. He said sustained cooperation between residents and security personnel remained crucial to improving the safety of communities and farmlands across Kaduna State.
The series of operations underscores the Kaduna State Police Command's intensified efforts to tackle multiple forms of criminality, including banditry, gunrunning, vehicle theft, and currency counterfeiting. The recoveries—ranging from fabricated firearms and a pump-action rifle to counterfeit dollars and stolen vehicles—demonstrate the diverse nature of the criminal networks operating in the state. The arrest of suspects linked to vehicle theft syndicates with cross-border connections, including a vehicle stolen from Niger Republic, highlights the transnational dimension of some of these criminal activities.
For farmers in the Kidandan area of Giwa Local Government Area, the operation against armed bandits offers a measure of relief, as insecurity has made access to farmlands increasingly perilous. The police have assured residents that operations will continue until criminal elements are flushed out and communities can go about their daily activities without fear.
The case of the counterfeit currency syndicate also raises concerns about the circulation of fake dollars and naira notes in the state. The suspect's confession linking the counterfeit currency to a supplier in Kano State suggests that the network may extend beyond Kaduna, and the police have indicated that efforts are underway to dismantle the wider operation.
As investigations continue, the three suspects arrested in connection with the stolen GMK Jeep remain in police custody, while efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing gunrunners and the counterfeit currency supplier. The police have called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. With the Kaduna State Police Command maintaining its offensive against criminal networks, the message is clear: the days of impunity for bandits, gunrunners, and counterfeiters in Kaduna are numbered.
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