KADUNA, NIGERIA – Police in Nigeria’s Kaduna State have announced the arrest of a notorious bandit leader who had been on the run for over a decade, alongside three suspected motorcycle thieves. The arrests mark a significant breakthrough in the region’s fight against armed criminality.
The alleged bandit leader, identified as Mati Bagio, 34, from Unguwan Galadima in Shika District, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was apprehended on Friday, July 18, 2025. According to Mansir Hassan, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Bagio was tracked down by detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by CSP Sani Zuntu, following credible intelligence.
Mr. Hassan stated that Bagio had been on the police wanted list for 11 years, suspected of leading a criminal gang that terrorised communities across Kaduna and Katsina States, including areas like Giwa, Hunkuyi, Faskari, Dandume, and Funtua. At the time of his arrest at his residence, police operatives reportedly recovered a substantial cache of arms and ammunition, including an AK-47 rifle, a fabricated AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, two English pistols, and various rounds of ammunition and magazines.
The police spokesperson added that Bagio remains in custody as investigations continue, with efforts intensified to apprehend other members of his gang who are still at large.
In separate operations, the Kaduna State Police Command also announced the recovery of a stolen Toyota Prado SUV on July 17, which had been snatched at gunpoint in Abuja. The vehicle was recovered in Kaduna after a distress call led a patrol team to the vicinity of Shema Filling Station in Unguwan Gwari. The suspect reportedly abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting the police.
Furthermore, on July 15, police detectives arrested three suspected motorcycle thieves. Identified as Yusuf Yakubu, Abubakar Jibrin, Mustapha Aliyu, and Yunusa Yusuf, the suspects are believed to specialise in attacking and dispossessing commercial motorcyclists. Two stolen motorcycles were recovered during their arrest.
Kaduna State Police Commissioner Rabiu Muhammad commended his officers for their dedication and urged the public to continue cooperating by providing credible information to aid security efforts in the state.
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