Police arraign 97 suspects over Kaduna crisis

Kaduna State Police Commissioner Ahmad Abdul-Raman has said 97 persons suspected to have been involved in the crisis that engulfed Kasuwan Magani Kujama and Kaduna metropolis, have been arraigned.

He spoke yesterday at a news conference in Kaduna.

According to him, following the pandemonium caused by rumour peddlers after the murder of the Agom Adara, Dr. Maiwada Galadima, by suspected kidnappers, 22 suspects arrested in connection to the Kasuwan Magani incident and 23 suspects nabbed during the subsequent incidents were arraigned at the Chief Magistrates’ Court 1, Ibrahim Taiwo Road, Kaduna on October 24.

Abdul-Raman added that other 52 suspects were arraigned in the same court on October 31.

He said the command and other security agencies had restored peace in the affected areas.

”The command is committed to post violence management efforts. I appeal to the public to support it to ensure success by giving us information that can facilitate peaceful coexistence and expose criminals and rumour peddlers.

“In pursuant to the fulfilment of my commitment to reduce crimes to its barest minimum in the state, in the last two weeks, our vigorous efforts have paid off with the arrest of two suspects for criminal conspiracy, robbery, rape and being in possession of firearms.

“Three suspects were arrested for criminal conspiracy, kidnapping and culpable homicide; two suspects for criminal conspiracy and attempt to commit an offence to-wit kidnapping.”

“Six suspects were nabbed in connection with criminal conspiracy, robbery and being in possession of weapons.

“Eight suspects were apprehended for criminal conspiracy and abduction; five for criminal conspiracy, membership of unlawful society, shop breaking and theft, robbery and being in possession of weapons.

“One suspect for being in possession of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

“The following exhibits were recovered during investigation by the police- one locally-made pistol, one short Dane gun, one single barrel gun, four live cartridges and one Toyota Siena car registered as DKA 830 AU.

“Others include two fabricated wooden pistols, seven machetes, two knives, one torchlight, one cap and 20 bags of substance suspected to be Indian hemp,” he said.