The police, in series of intelligence operations, arrested 10 suspected armed bandits and recovered eight firearms in Kaduna State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, of the Kaduna State Command DSP Mansir Hassan, in a statement, indicated that the arrests followed investigations into a case of criminal conspiracy and illegal arms dealing transferred from the Ikara Divisional Headquarters early in the month of May.

The PPRO disclosed that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested five suspects, identified as Haruna Dauda, Meshack John, Iliya Dangi, Joshua Maigida, and Audu Musa.

Items recovered from the suspects include four fabricated AK-47 rifles and two fabricated pistols.

Preliminary investigations, according to the PPRO, revealed that the suspects were allegedly involved in illegal sale of arms and ammunition to bandits operating within Ikara and surrounding communities

The suspects reportedly confessed to supplying weapons to other previously arrested suspects identified as Timothy Yohana, Ado Mato, and Hamisu Yalwa, residents of Ikara.

The Command stated that investigations are ongoing to uncover the full network of the syndicate and arrest other accomplices connected to the illegal arms trade

Similarly, detectives raided the residence of a fleeing suspect, Mathew Tanko, in Gidan Jina, Furana Village, Ikara Local Government Area, where another locally fabricated AK-47 rifle was recovered.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, warned individuals involved in the illegal possession, fabrication, and supply of firearms to criminal groups to desist immediately or face the full wrath of the law

He assured residents that the Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, would continue to intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at safeguarding lives and property across the state.