The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives in Kaduna State have intensified operations against banditry and illegal arms trade. Commissioner of Police Rabiu Muhammad disclosed that several bandits were neutralised and about 30 firearms recovered during a two-week intelligence-led offensive in February 2026.

The clearance raids targeted criminal hideouts in Kajuru, Tafa, Igabi and Kauru LGAs. Police said fierce gun battles occurred during the operations, leading to the arrest of suspected bandits, informants, drug suppliers and five alleged gunrunners linked to criminal networks.

Recovered weapons include AK-47 rifles, fabricated firearms, pistols, a sub-machine gun and ammunition. Officers also seized hard drugs believed to support criminal activities in the region. Authorities described the recovery as a major breakthrough in reducing illegal weapons circulation.

In a related action, detectives arrested an alleged arms fabricator, Adamu Aminu, in Jaji town, alongside another suspect from Plateau State. Police said preliminary findings suggest the suspects were involved in producing and supplying illegal weapons, fueling insecurity within and beyond Kaduna.