The Kano State Police Command says it has arrested 157 suspects and made significant recoveries including firearms, stolen vehicles, and drugs worth millions of naira in just four weeks of intensified operations.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, during a press briefing held on Tuesday, April 16, at the Command Headquarters in Bompai, Kano.
He said the command recorded major breakthroughs in tackling armed robbery, thuggery, drug trafficking, and other violent crimes since his assumption of duty on March 17, 2025.
Security challenges and strategy
CP Bakori noted that upon assuming office, he was briefed about the prevalence of thuggery, known locally as “Fadan Daba,” drug abuse, and armed robbery across the state.
He said these pressing issues were immediately prioritized and tackled through intelligence-led policing and community partnerships.
He emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in addressing security challenges and called on residents to continue supporting the police with credible information.
Major arrests and seizures
According to the commissioner, within four weeks, 157 suspects were arrested for various crimes including armed robbery, drug trafficking, vehicle and motorcycle theft, and violent attacks.
Recovered items included 22 firearms, 117 live cartridges, 6 expended cartridges, 2 vehicles, 2 tricycles, 3 motorcycles, large quantities of tramadol worth N150 million, 6 cartons of Ampicillin tablets, and multiple weapons including 57 cutlasses and 71 sharp knives.
Firearms smuggling network uncovered
In a major operation, police arrested three suspects linked to the smuggling of fabricated revolver rifles into Kano State. The suspects led investigators to the recovery of 19 rifles, 114 live cartridges, and six expended cartridges. The arms were traced to a supplier based in Plateau State, and further investigation is ongoing.
On March 26, police intercepted a truck loaded with bags of cement concealing cartons of suspected tramadol tablets. Two suspects were arrested, and the drugs—valued at N150 million—were being transported from Sokoto to Babura in Jigawa State.
He added that Two major cases of vehicle theft were recorded. In one, two suspects were arrested with a stolen Toyota Hilux traced to Abuja. In another, five suspects were apprehended after police recovered a Toyota Hummer linked to a robbery case in Hotoro By-pass. The vehicles were returned to their rightful owners.
Armed robbers arrested in multiple operations
In Railway Quarters, three armed robbers were arrested during a swift police response. One English pistol and a locally-made pistol were recovered. In another case, a suspect was caught attempting to rob a Honda Accord vehicle and was found with a loaded English pistol.
Police also arrested suspects in several robbery-related incidents involving weapons like cutlasses, sharp iron rods, and scissors. In one case, a victim was attacked and robbed of N130,000 in Zango Quarters. The suspect, who tried to escape to Abuja, was later arrested.
Dangerous thugs and drug dealers apprehended
Between March 21 and April 15, 79 suspected thugs were arrested during raids on criminal hideouts. Recovered items included illicit drugs and dangerous weapons. Among them was a notorious thug arrested with a sharp knife and cannabis in Kadawa, Ungogo area.
Two suspected drug dealers were also arrested with 22 bottles of “suck and die,” 69 sachets of exol tablets, and dried Indian hemp.
On April 11, police arrested two suspected fraudsters from Edo State in possession of $21,500 in counterfeit US currency. The arrest followed a tip-off from a concerned resident.
Police also arrested multiple suspects for motorcycle and tricycle theft, recovering a total of 3 motorcycles and 2 tricycles. In one incident, two motorcycles were stolen from a plaza in Tarauni LGA. In another, a suspect led police to a second location where another stolen tricycle was hidden.
A suspect was caught stealing critical transmission tower materials in Dawakin Tofa LGA.
He was found in possession of 38 pieces of transmission materials and several bolts and nuts. Investigation is ongoing.
“On 25/03/2025 at about 06:30pm, a distress call was received from a good Samaritan who stated that he sighted one Zahraddeen Mukhtar, ‘m’ of Dawakin Tofa LGA, Kano at higher tension transmission tower and he reasonably suspected him. On receipt of the report, a team of detective were mobilized to the scene and arrested the suspect. During the course of the investigation, thirty-eight (38) pieces of of transmission towers materials and some quantity of nuts were recovered from him. The case is under investigation.”
CP Bakori stated that the command will continue its series of community-based engagements and intelligence-led patrols across strategic locations in Kano to prevent crime and maintain law and order.
He appreciated the cooperation of law-abiding residents and urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police.
