The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected bandit in Bichi Local Government Area and recovered an AK-47 magazine, 109 rounds of live ammunition, suspected military uniforms and other security-related items in a major breakthrough against banditry.
The Command said the arrest followed credible intelligence provided by members of the Rimawa Community, whose vigilance it described as instrumental to the successful operation.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, operatives of the Bichi Police Division acted on information that a man dressed in a suspected military uniform had been sighted in Rimaye Village on July 12.
Working with members of the community, the police intercepted the suspect, identified as Mohammed Isah Haruna, 28, of Dan Dinshe Yamma Quarters in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State.
A search of the suspect’s bag led to the recovery of an AK-47 magazine loaded with 30 rounds of live ammunition, an additional 79 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, two sets of suspected military uniforms, three military caps, a suspected fake military identity card, a National Identity Card, NIN slip, voter’s card, four ATM cards and a pair of desert boots.
The police said preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspect confessed he was in the area to deliver the recovered items to bandits operating in nearby forests.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori commended the Rimawa Community for promptly alerting security operatives, describing the arrest as another demonstration of the importance of community participation in policing.
“This arrest underscores the importance of community partnership in policing. We appreciate the Rimawa Community and all good people of Kano for their support. Security is a collective responsibility,” the commissioner said.
He assured residents that the Command remains committed to intelligence-led and community-focused policing across the state’s 44 local government areas, in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police.
The suspect remains in police custody, while investigators have launched a manhunt for other members of the criminal network believed to be connected to the arms supply operation.
The Command said the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations and urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to assist security agencies in combating crime across the state.
