The Kaduna State Police Command has announced the arrest of a notorious bandit leader, Mati Bagio, bringing an end to an 11-year manhunt. According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the 34-year-old suspect was apprehended on Thursday, July 18, 2025, at about 5:30 am by operatives of the Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, led by CSP Sani Zuntu.
He was arrested at his residence in the Unguwan Galadima area of Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following what police described as “credible intelligence.”
Bagio is accused of orchestrating several deadly bandit operations in Kaduna and Katsina states, particularly in Giwa, Faskari, Dandume, Dutsinma, Kankara, and Funtua LGAs. The police stated, “The suspect is a notorious bandit leader terrorizing villages in Kaduna and Katsina States. He masterminded several kidnappings and killings of innocent souls.”
A search of his residence led to the recovery of a cache of dangerous weapons including an AK47 rifle, a fabricated AK47 rifle, a pump action gun, two English pistols, three AK47 magazines, 16 7.62mm live ammunition, two pistol magazines, 58 9mm live ammunition, 11 pump action cartridges, one machete, two torch lights, a knife, a pestle, a boxer motorcycle, a unmarked white Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Prado jeep.
DSP Hassan described the arrest as a “significant breakthrough” in the ongoing fight against banditry and gun-running, stating that “the arrest of Mati Bagio is a significant breakthrough in the command’s tireless fight against banditry and other violent crimes in the state.”
He added that the suspect is currently in custody while further investigations are ongoing, and assured that efforts are being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of his criminal gang.