The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested ten suspected gun runners and recovered eight firearms during separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

The Command said the arrests followed investigations into alleged criminal conspiracy and illegal arms trafficking linked to bandit groups operating in parts of the state.

In a statement issued Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the Command disclosed that a case involving illegal dealings in firearms and ammunition was transferred from the Ikara Divisional Headquarters on May 1, 2026.

The operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit subsequently launched an operation, which led to the arrest of five suspects identified as Haruna Dauda, Meshack John, Iliya Dangi, Joshua Maigida and Audu Musa.

The Police said exhibits recovered from the suspects included four locally fabricated AK-47 rifles and two fabricated pistols.

Preliminary investigation, according to the Command, revealed that the suspects were allegedly involved in the supply of arms and ammunition to bandits operating within Ikara and surrounding communities.

The suspects were also said to have confessed to supplying weapons to other previously arrested suspects identified as Timothy Yohana, Ado Mato and Hamisu Yalwa, all from Ikara area.

The Command stated that “investigations were ongoing to uncover the full network of the syndicate and apprehend other accomplices.”

Earlier, on May 5 at about 8pm, police operatives reportedly acted on credible intelligence and arrested Yunusa Yahaya, 40, and Mustapha Yahaya, 30, both residents of Kuraye Village in Kubau local government area.

The command said the suspects were found in possession of a locally fabricated AK-47 rifle and 7.5mm AK-47 ammunition.

Similarly, the spokesman said detectives acting on another intelligence tip-off raided the residence of one Mathew Tanko of Gidan Jina, Furana Village in Ikara local government area.