Bandit leader arrested after 11 years manhunt

Guns and ammunitions recovered from the bandits

The Kaduna State Police Command on Friday announced the arrest of a notorious bandit leader who had been on the run for over a decade, alongside three suspected motorcycle thieves across the state.

The command said it recovered a cache of sophisticated firearms, ammunition, a stolen Toyota Prado SUV and two motorcycles during its recent operations.

The arrested bandit identified as Mati Bagio, a 34-year-old resident of Unguwan Galadima in Shika District, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was said to have led a criminal gang that terrorised communities across Kaduna and Katsina States for years.

In a statement, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, said Bagio was apprehended by detectives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by CSP Sani Zuntu following credible intelligence.He said Bagio had been on the police wanted list for 11 years for alleged involvement in multiple attacks in Giwa, Hunkuyi, Faskari, Dandume, and Funtua Local Government Areas spanning both Kaduna and Katsina States.

According to Hassan, the suspect was arrested at his residence where police operatives recovered a significant cache of arms and ammunition.

“On 18th July 2025, at about 0530 hours, acting on credible intelligence, a team of detectives led by the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit CSP Sani Zuntu, successfully tracked and arrested a notorious gang leader popularly known as Mati Bagio 34-year-old male of Unguwan Galadima of Shika district, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Punch