The Kaduna State Police Command has announced the arrest of a notorious bandit leader, Mati Bagio, who had evaded capture for over a decade. The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday, July 18, 2025, by the Command’s spokesperson, Mansir Hassan.
According to the statement, Bagio, a 34-year-old resident of Unguwan Galadima in Shika District, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, had led a violent gang that terrorized communities across Kaduna and Katsina States for years. His criminal operations reportedly spanned multiple local government areas, including Giwa, Hunkuyi, Faskari, Dandume, and Funtua.
Bagio was apprehended by officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by CSP Sani Zuntu, following actionable intelligence. He had been on the police wanted list for 11 years due to his involvement in a series of deadly attacks and criminal activities.
“On 18th July 2025, at about 0530 hours, acting on credible intelligence, a team of detectives led by CSP Sani Zuntu successfully tracked and arrested the notorious gang leader at his residence,” the statement read. “A substantial cache of arms and ammunition was recovered during the operation.”
Items recovered include:
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One AK-47 rifle
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One fabricated AK-47 rifle
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One pump-action shotgun
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Two English pistols
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Two AK-47 magazines
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Two LAR rifle magazines
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Four fabricated AK-47 butts
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Four AK-47 live rounds
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Ten pump-action cartridges
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Eighty-seven rounds of pistol ammunition
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One machete
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Two torchlights
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One unjamming rod
Hassan described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against armed banditry and illegal arms proliferation in Kaduna State. He added that Bagio remains in custody as investigations continue, with efforts underway to apprehend other members of his gang still at large.
Additional Police Operations
In a separate incident on July 17, police recovered a stolen Toyota Prado SUV that had been snatched at gunpoint in Abuja. The vehicle was tracked to the Shema Filling Station area in Unguwan Gwari, Kaduna, following a distress alert to the Kaduna Command Control Room. Upon arrival, officers from the Kawo Division cordoned off the area, leading to the recovery of the SUV. The suspect fled the scene upon sighting police officers. The vehicle is currently in police custody pending its return to the FCT Command.
Also, on July 15, 2025, at about 2:00 pm, police operatives arrested four suspected motorcycle thieves believed to be involved in violent attacks against commercial motorcyclists. The suspects — Yusuf Yakubu (Amana Village), Abubakar Jibrin, Mustapha Aliyu (both of Unguwan Rimi), and Yunusa Yusuf (Kujama) — were arrested based on credible intelligence.
The suspects are accused of ambushing and attacking motorcyclists before stealing their bikes. Two stolen motorcycles were recovered during the operation, and investigations are ongoing to identify more stolen property and collaborators.
Commissioner’s Remarks
The Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad, praised the swift and coordinated efforts of the police teams involved in the operations. He also encouraged the public to continue supporting law enforcement by providing timely and credible information.
“The Command remains resolute in its mission to rid Kaduna State of criminal elements and to ensure the safety and security of all residents,” the statement concluded.
