Zainab Abioye
The Kaduna State Police Command has recovered 332 suspected counterfeit $100 notes, nine locally fabricated firearms, a pump-action rifle and two stolen vehicles in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The command also arrested three suspects allegedly attempting to sell a black GMK Jeep estimated at N70m for just N4m after dismantling it for spare parts.
The recoveries were disclosed on Thursday by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
Hassan said the operations were part of sustained efforts to disrupt criminal networks, restrict the movement of armed groups and improve security, particularly for farmers accessing their farmlands.
According to the statement, police received information around 10am on August 31 that armed bandits were terrorising farmers in the Kidandan area of Giwa Local Government Area.
The Divisional Police Officer in Kidandan mobilised Police Mobile Force personnel attached to APV Kaya, alongside members of the Kaduna Vigilance Service, to confront the attackers.
The police said the bandits opened fire when they sighted the security team but fled into the bush after operatives responded.
The fleeing suspects allegedly abandoned a pump-action rifle loaded with two cartridges and a motorcycle.
In another operation around the Maraban Jos axis, the command said operatives mounted roadblocks following intelligence about the movement of suspected gunrunners.
According to the police, the security operation forced some of the suspects to divert their vehicles while others escaped into the bush, abandoning nine locally fabricated firearms.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, three suspects identified as Hashiru Ibrahim, Mohammed Ibrahim and Umar Hassan were arrested on Wednesday at Panteka, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, while allegedly attempting to sell the stolen GMK Jeep.
The police said preliminary investigation showed that Hashiru allegedly stole the vehicle from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he worked as a driver for a Chinese company.
The suspects allegedly intended to sell the vehicle for N4m after dismantling it and disposing of its components as spare parts.
The command said the vehicle had been recovered and secured, while investigation was ongoing to identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related development, police operatives intercepted a white Toyota Hilux allegedly stolen from Agadez, Niger Republic.
The vehicle was intercepted in Kaduna on August 31 following intelligence, leading to the arrest of one Abubakar Abdullahi, who was allegedly found in possession of it.
The police said verification confirmed that the vehicle’s chassis number matched that of a vehicle reported stolen in Niger Republic.
The Hilux was subsequently taken into police custody for further investigation.
Also on August 31, the command arrested one Kabir Yusuf of India Road, Barnawa, Kaduna, over alleged possession of counterfeit currency.
The police said intelligence led operatives to Yusuf, who was allegedly found in possession of suspected fake $100 notes.
A search reportedly resulted in the recovery of 332 suspected counterfeit $100 notes and six counterfeit N1,000 notes.
During preliminary investigation, the suspect allegedly told investigators that he obtained the fake currencies from one Sahibu Ruhan of Kano State, who the police said was still at large.
The command said efforts were ongoing to arrest Ruhan and unravel the wider network allegedly involved in the production and circulation of the counterfeit currencies.
The Commissioner of Police commended members of the public for providing information that assisted the security operations.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the police and other security agencies.
The CP assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations and clearance activities across Kaduna State.
He said continued collaboration between security agencies and residents remained crucial to making the state safer.
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