45 Stolen Phones recovered as Police operatives arrest 14 Suspects

45 Stolen Phones recovered as Police operatives arrest 14 Suspects

The Kaduna State Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on criminal activities, with the recovery of 45 stolen mobile phones and the arrest of 14 suspects involved in armed robbery, possession of illegal firearms, and receiving stolen goods.

In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, the arrests were made by operatives of the newly-formed Operation Fushin Kada Tracking and Response Team between September 10 and 18.

According to the statement, the operatives, acting on credible intelligence, apprehended a notorious robbery kingpin, Fahad Babangida, alongside two accomplices, Ahmed Lawal and Salahudeen Ibrahim, on September 11.

The trio were reportedly planning an attack on a retired staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) when they were intercepted.

Further investigations led to the arrest of two more suspects linked to Babangida’s network, Isah Musa and Usman Abdullahi who confessed to multiple shop break-ins and robberies in the Rigasa area of the state capital.

Interrogation of the suspects also exposed a ring of receivers who allegedly helped the gang sell off stolen items.

Those arrested in connection with the racket include Kabiru Sabitu (also known as Baban Godiya), Abdullahi Shehu, and Yusuf Saleh.

In a related development, a suspect identified simply as Bello was arrested on September 10 for phone snatching.

His arrest led to the recovery of 45 stolen handsets, a laptop, and the identification of individuals allegedly involved in fencing the stolen property.

In another operation on September 15, patrol officers from the Kabala West Division intercepted two young men, aged 19 and 21, at the Unguwar Mu’azu Bypass.

A black TVS motorcycle and a 9mm pistol with three live rounds were recovered from the duo during a stop-and-search operation.

On September 18, operatives arrested one Simon Haruna, a resident of Barikin Ladi in Plateau State, at Lambar Zango in Igabi Local Government Area.

Haruna was reportedly negotiating the sale of a Beretta pistol when he was apprehended. A Made-in-USA Beretta handgun and three live rounds were recovered from him.

Commending the operatives for their swift action and professionalism, the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ridding Kaduna of criminal elements.

“Our operatives are working round the clock to dismantle criminal networks across the state. These arrests send a clear message that there is no hiding place for criminals in Kaduna,” CP Muhammad said.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible information to help sustain the momentum against crime.