The Kebbi State Police Command has announced significant achievements in its ongoing campaign against criminal activities, including the arrest of suspected terrorists, armed bandits, informants and logistics suppliers, as well as the successful rescue of a kidnapped woman.
Speaking during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, said the breakthroughs were recorded over the past month through intelligence-driven operations and close collaboration with other security agencies, local vigilante groups and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).
One of the notable operations took place on June 5, 2026, when operatives arrested three suspected members of the Mamudawa/Boko Haram group along the Illo-Lolo Road in Bagudo Local Government Area. The suspects, identified as Muhammadu Bandi, Aliyu Abubakar and Muhammadu Abubakar, were allegedly transporting food supplies intended for criminal elements operating within the area.
According to Hadejia, preliminary investigations connected the suspects to suspicious movements around Illo during the June 4 attack that resulted in the deaths of three officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
In another operation carried out on June 7, security personnel apprehended four suspected Lakurawa bandits along the Ka’oje-Bakin Ruwa Road in Bagudo LGA. The suspects are currently under investigation over their alleged involvement in banditry activities around the SODA Forest.
The command also recorded success in its efforts to disrupt support networks for terrorist groups. On June 9, officers arrested Murtala Sani, a resident of Zazzagawa Village in Argungu LGA, who is suspected of supplying food items and beverages to members of the Lakurawa terrorist group. Investigators also alleged that he facilitated the movement of a suspected terrorist operative to criminal hideouts on several occasions.
The police further rescued a kidnapped woman, Asmau Isah, following a coordinated operation on June 10. The victim had been abducted after armed men attacked her residence in the Bayan Forestry area of Birnin Kebbi, making away with N220,000 and several mobile phones before taking her hostage.
With support from vigilantes and CJTF members, security operatives tracked down the suspects, rescued the victim unharmed and arrested one member of the gang. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other accomplices involved in the crime.
In a separate development, police arrested Ayuba Ibrahim, who is suspected of acting as an informant for bandits in Bakin Ruwa, Bagudo LGA. A pump-action rifle, three live cartridges and other items believed to be linked to criminal activities were recovered from him during the operation.
The command also arrested Aliyu Jibrin, 42, from Kwakware Village in Arewa LGA. He was allegedly found with a locally fabricated pistol during a security operation at Makera Market.
Another breakthrough involved the recovery of a stolen Mercedes-Benz C200. The vehicle, originally stolen in Sokoto State, was traced to Birnin Kebbi, leading to the arrest of Ahmed Sa’adu, popularly known as “Baga.” The suspect and the recovered vehicle have since been handed over to the Sokoto State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
Additionally, police are investigating a case involving the alleged sexual assault of a 10-year-old girl. The suspect, identified as 36-year-old security guard Faruku Muhammed, allegedly lured the victim into his room located within an Islamiyya school premises in Jega Local Government Area, where the offence was said to have occurred.
The commissioner stated that the suspect would be charged to court once investigations are completed.
Hadejia credited the successes to effective intelligence gathering, the commitment of security personnel and the cooperation of residents. He also commended the efforts of vigilante groups, the CJTF, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies that contributed to the operations.
He called on members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring residents that all intelligence reports would be treated confidentially.
The police commissioner reiterated the command’s determination to sustain its operations against criminal elements and maintain the safety of lives and property throughout Kebbi State.
