Kano Police foil suspected ammunition supply to bandits, arrest one

Police intercept suspected ammunition supplier in Bichi

A timely tip-off from vigilant residents helped the Kano State Police Command intercept a suspected ammunition supplier allegedly en route to deliver arms and military items to bandits, underscoring the role of community-police collaboration in addressing insecurity.

The Command arrested a 28-year-old suspect, Mohammed Isah Haruna, during an intelligence-led operation in Rimaye Village, Bichi Local Government Area. Officers recovered a cache of ammunition, suspected military uniforms and other items believed to have been intended for criminal elements operating in the area.

Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday. He said the suspect, from Dan Dinshe Yamma Quarters in Dala Local Government Area, was apprehended after a resident reported a man dressed in what appeared to be a military uniform moving suspiciously within the community.

How the operation unfolded and items recovered

Acting on the credible intelligence, officers attached to the Bichi Division, working with members of the Rimawa community, swiftly intercepted the suspect and conducted a search of his belongings. The collaboration led to a prompt arrest without incident.

The search yielded 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 pair of desert boots, as well as personal identification and bank cards.

Police said preliminary investigations revealed the suspect allegedly intended to deliver the recovered items to bandits hiding in the surrounding bush. According to the command, the suspect confessed during interrogation that he had travelled to the area to supply the items to the criminal group.

The suspect is currently in our custody, and investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the criminal network. He will be charged to court once the investigation is completed,

— CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, Police Public Relations Officer, Kano State Police Command

Command's response and community partnership

Commending the role played by residents, the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, described the arrest as a clear demonstration of the importance of community participation in policing. He assured residents that the command remained committed to dismantling criminal networks and strengthening security across the state.

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,

— Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, Commissioner of Police, Kano State Police Command

The command reiterated its appeal to residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, noting that intelligence supplied by members of the public remains a critical tool in preventing crime and enhancing public safety.

Investigation continues amid wider security push

The police said investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected criminal syndicate linked to the intercepted supplies. Authorities indicated the suspect will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

The latest arrest comes as security agencies across northern Nigeria intensify intelligence-driven operations aimed at disrupting the supply chains that sustain armed banditry, with officials maintaining that active community support remains one of the most effective tools in the ongoing fight against criminality.