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Zainab Abioye
The Kaduna State Police Command has recovered 332 suspected counterfeit $100 notes, nine locally made firearms, one shotgun and two stolen vehicles in separate intelligence-led operations across the state.
The command also arrested three suspects who allegedly attempted to sell a black GMK Jeep estimated at N70 million for just N4 million after dismantling it for spare parts.
The findings were disclosed on Thursday by the command’s police public relations officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement issued on behalf of the police commissioner.
Hassan said the operations were part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks, limit the movements of armed groups and improve security, particularly for farmers accessing their farmland.
According to the statement, the police received information at around 10am on August 31 that armed bandits were terrorizing farmers in Kidandan area of Giwa Local Government Area.
The Kidandan Divisional Police Officer has mobilized Police Mobile Force personnel assigned to APV Kaya, along with members of the Kaduna Vigilante Service, to tackle the attackers.
Police said the bandits opened fire when they spotted the security team, but fled into the bush after officers intervened.
The fleeing suspects allegedly abandoned a shotgun loaded with two cartridges and a motorcycle.
In another operation around the Maraban Jos axis, the command said officers mounted roadblocks following intelligence on the movement of suspected arms dealers.
According to police, the security operation forced some of the suspects to divert their vehicles while others fled into the bush, abandoning nine locally made firearms.
The command said efforts are underway to arrest the fleeing suspects.
Meanwhile, three suspects identified as Hashiru Ibrahim, Mohammed Ibrahim and Umar Hassan were arrested on Wednesday in Panteka, Kurmin Mashi, Kaduna, while allegedly trying to sell the stolen GMK jeep.
Police said preliminary investigations showed that Hashiru stole the vehicle from Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he worked as a driver for a Chinese company.
The suspects intended to sell the vehicle for N4m after dismantling it and disposing of its components as spare parts.
The command said the vehicle has been recovered and secured, while investigations are underway to identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related development, police officers have intercepted an allegedly stolen white Toyota Hilux in 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 the vehicle.
Police said verification confirmed that the vehicle’s chassis number matched that of a vehicle reported stolen in Niger Republic.
The Hilux was later taken into police custody for further investigations.
Also on August 31, the command arrested one Kabir Yusuf of India Road, Barnawa, Kaduna, for alleged possession of counterfeit currency.
Police said intelligence led officers to Yusuf, who was allegedly found in possession of suspected counterfeit $100 bills.
A search reportedly led to the recovery of 332 suspected counterfeit $100 notes and six counterfeit $1,000 naira notes.
During preliminary investigations, the suspect reportedly told detectives that he obtained the fake currencies from one Sahibu Ruhan of Kano State, who police said was still at large.
The command said efforts were underway to arrest Ruhan and expose the larger network allegedly involved in the production and circulation of counterfeit currencies.
The Police Commissioner praised members of the public for providing information which aided the security operation.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the police and other security agencies.
The PC assured residents that the command would support intelligence-led operations and clearance activities across Kaduna State.
He said continued collaboration between security agencies and residents remains crucial to making the state safer.
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