29th April, 2023
No fewer than 98 deadly hoodlums, popularly known as Sara-Suka have been arrested in Kaduna State by security operatives.
Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, disclosed this on Saturday in a statement.
He said worried by the increase in urban gangsterism perpetrated by ‘Sara-Suka’ in Kaduna Metropolis, Governor Nasir El-Rufai who demanded for an aggressive action against the criminals has received a progress report from the Kaduna State Police Command.
He said the criminals had been attacking citizens and snatching their mobile phones and other belongings, a situation which resulted in the loss of several lives and severe injuries inflicted on innocent citizens.
Aruwan said according to the report, which was accompanied with pictorial evidence, a total of 98 suspects were arrested between the 26th and 28th of April, 2023, of which 19 had been charged to court, while 61 were still under investigation at various Divisions within the Kaduna Metropolis.
“Eighteen (18) of those arrested have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation ahead of prosecution.
“The report further revealed that several exhibits were recovered from the suspects which include snatched mobile phones, sharp knives, sharp scissors, cudgels, dried leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp, assorted hard drugs and accessories to aid their consumption, masters keys and other valuables.
“The Governor tasked the Command to ensure due diligence in prosecution without compromise, and directed that the manhunt for those at large should be intensified until they are all brought to justice.
“He also condoled families that lost their loves ones and wished the injured speedy recovery. He further allayed their fears of any possible compromise of the cases, stating that the Kaduna State Government has an effective mechanism in place through the Ministry of Justice to ensure a thorough and scrupulous process.
“Finally, the Governor called on members of communities such as Rigasa, Kawo, Ungwan Muazu, Badarawa, Kwaru, Rigachikun, Barnawa, Ungwan Rimi, Trikania, Nasarawa, Makera, Sabon Tasha, Narayi, Rafin Guza, Tudun Wada and other locations, to provide the names of suspected gang members in their localities for follow-up action by security agencies,” Aruwan stated.