Police Clamp Down on Banditry Network in Kaduna, Arrest Four and Recover Arms

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its offensive against banditry in the North-West, recording a significant operational success with the arrest of four suspected bandits and the recovery of dangerous weapons in Kaduna State.

In a statement released on Monday and signed by Anthony Placid, the police disclosed that the operation was executed by the Force Intelligence Department and Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) following actionable and credible intelligence on the activities of the suspects.

According to the statement, the suspects are Abdumumini Abubakar (40), Maikano Gambo (47), Saleh Thompson (47), and Oyonyi Odango (40) were apprehended on March 7, 2026, during a coordinated operation aimed at dismantling criminal networks responsible for terrorising communities in the state and its environs.

Items recovered during the operation include four AK-47 rifles complete with magazines, 80 rounds of 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, and a locally fabricated pistol loaded with 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Security analysts say such recoveries highlight the scale of firepower often deployed by bandit groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria.

Preliminary investigations, the police noted, indicate that the suspects are actively linked to banditry and other violent criminal activities, including armed robbery and coordinated attacks on rural communities. Authorities added that the suspects are currently in custody and assisting investigators with useful information.

The statement further revealed that efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing members of the criminal syndicate, dismantle their operational bases, and recover additional arms and logistics used in their operations.

Reacting to the development, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the operatives of the FID-STS for their professionalism, bravery, and commitment to duty. He reaffirmed the resolve of the Force to sustain intelligence-led operations across the country in order to combat banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violent crime.

The IGP also assured citizens that the police remain steadfast in their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, urging members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing operations.

This latest success underscores renewed efforts by security agencies to restore peace and stability in Kaduna State and other affected regions, where banditry has posed a persistent security challenge in recent years.