In a major breakthrough, the Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 34-year-old Mati Bagio, a notorious bandit kingpin who had evaded capture for over a decade.
Bagio was picked up at his residence in Unguwan Galadima, located within the Shika District of Giwa Local Government Area in Kaduna State.
The arrest, which took place in the early hours of Friday, July 18, followed a well-coordinated operation led by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command. Acting on credible intelligence, the team tracked Bagio to his home and apprehended him without incident. The suspect had long been on the police radar for his alleged orchestration of violent attacks across parts of Kaduna and neighboring Katsina State.
Police spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, confirmed the arrest in an official statement. He described Bagio as the ringleader of a criminal network responsible for a series of armed raids and abductions in Giwa, Hunkuyi, Faskari, Dandume, and Funtua local government areas. “The suspect had been on the run for the past 11 years,” Hassan noted.
Authorities also reported the recovery of a large cache of arms and ammunition from the suspect’s home. Seized items included two AK-47 rifles—one of them locally fabricated—two English pistols, a pump-action shotgun, magazines, dozens of rounds of various ammunition, and other items believed to be used in violent crimes. A stolen Toyota Prado SUV and two motorcycles were also retrieved during related operations.
“The successful operation was led by CSP Sani Zuntu of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The intelligence-based effort ensured minimal resistance and no casualties,” the police stated. They commended the team for the strategic approach in neutralizing what they called a high-profile security threat in the region.
In a separate development, three individuals suspected of stealing motorcycles were also arrested in the course of the broader operation. The police believe the suspects are part of a wider syndicate linked to Bagio’s criminal network.
The police command has urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by providing timely information. “We remain committed to flushing out criminal elements and restoring peace across all affected communities,” Hassan added, assuring that Bagio would face the full weight of the law.
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