The Police in Kaduna State have arrested 157 suspected kidnappers, bandits, looters of public and private warehouses and criminals in the state.
Also arrested were members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria otherwise known as Shi’ites.
The state Commissioner of Police, Umar Muri, stated this at the police headquarters in Kaduna while parading the suspects on Friday.
Muri said 65 guns including 24 AK47 rifles were among the weapons recovered from the suspects.
The CP also stated that 116 kidnap victims were rescued and two bandits killed.
He said some of the suspects apprehended confessed to the crimes committed, noting that they would soon be arraigned in court.
Muri said, “Today, I am delighted to inform you that the command in the last few weeks in its onerous task of securing the lives and property of law-abiding citizens of Kaduna State succeeded in arresting 157 suspects for various crimes which include banditry, robbery, kidnapping, cattle rustling, homicide, rape and looting of shops, government and private warehouses.
“Some of the suspects arrested have confessed voluntarily to various roles they played in the respective crimes they are being alleged of and will be arraigned in court of competent jurisdiction on completion of investigations and legal advice from the Ministry of Justice where necessary.
“During investigation, a number of recoveries were made which include 24 AK47 rifles, three revolver pistols, two pump action guns, two locally-made revolver rifles, two locally-made single barrel guns,12 locally-made pistols, one type 06 rifle, two fabricated submachine guns and 17 Dane guns.’’
He added that other recovered items were 2,056 rounds of AK47 live ammunition, nine rounds of 9mm live ammunition, five matchets, three big sticks, 24 sharp cutlasses/knives, one iron rod and vehicles of different brands among others.