Police arrest ‘notorious bandit leader’ in Kaduna after 11 years on the run

The Kaduna police command says its operatives have arrested Mati Bagio, a “notorious bandit leader” who had been on the run for 11 years.

Mansir Hassan, the police spokesperson in Kaduna, said in a statement on Friday that the 34-year-old suspect was arrested at his residence in Unguwan Galadima, Shika Giwa LGA of the state.

Hassan said the suspect led a violent gang responsible for several attacks in the Giwa, Hunkuyi, Faskari, Dandume, and Funtua areas of Kaduna and Katsina states.

He noted that the operatives recovered an AK-47 rifle, a fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pump-action shotgun, two English pistols, and two AK-47 magazines.

Other weapons recovered from the suspect include two LAR rifle magazines, four fabricated AK-47 rifle butts, 10 pump-action cartridges, 87 pistol rounds, and a machete, among others.

“This arrest is a major breakthrough in our efforts to dismantle criminal networks and remove illegal arms from our communities,” the statement reads.

“The suspect is currently in our custody and undergoing investigation. Efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining gang members who are still at large.”

Hassan added that in a separate operation on Thursday, operatives recovered a stolen Toyota Prado SUV.

He said the vehicle was snatched at gunpoint in Abuja and was tracked to the Unguwan Gwari area in Kaduna.

“Following a distress call received at about 2:00 a.m., police operatives from the Kawo Division swiftly responded to intelligence that led them to Shema Filling Station,” Hassan said.

“The stolen vehicle was recovered, but the suspect fled the scene before he could be apprehended.

“The Prado Jeep has been taken into custody and will be handed over to the FCT Police Command, where the robbery was initially reported.”

The police spokesperson noted that on July 15, four members of a motorcycle theft syndicate were apprehended in the state.

He said the suspects are Yusuf Yakubu of Amana village, Abubakar Jibrin, Mustapha Aliyu of Unguwan Rimi, and Yunusa Yusuf of Kujama village.

He added that the suspects are in custody, noting that investigations into their cases are still ongoing.

“These suspects specialise in attacking, maiming, or killing cyclists before stealing their motorcycles. Two stolen bikes were recovered during the operation,” Hassan added.