The Kano State Police Command has arrested nine suspected members of an armed robbery syndicate said to be responsible for a series of violent operations across the state.
Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, announced the breakthrough on Monday, October 13, 2025, during a press briefing at the Bompai Police Headquarters.
He said the operation was carried out in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for state commands to intensify their anti-crime strategies.
According to CP Bakori, the suspects were arrested following a robbery that took place on October 8, 2025, at Unguwar Wambai, Dorayi Babba Quarters, Kano.
Armed with rifles, the gang reportedly stole a Toyota Yaris vehicle, cash amounting to ₦3.7m in local and foreign currencies, three mobile phones, and other valuables. During the attack, the suspects also injured a woman by knocking out one of her teeth with a diamond object.
Recovered weapons and stolen items displayed
The police boss said a swift response from officers attached to the Dorayi Divisional Headquarters led to the arrest of one suspect.
Following that, the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) launched an intelligence-led operation that resulted in the arrest of eight others in different locations across Kano and Kaduna States.
The arrested suspects were identified as: Abubakar Aminu, 22, Aliyu Aliyu, 23, Abubakar Usman, 22, Sulaiman Sani, 20, Yusuf Yusuf, 17, Abdulrahman Aliyu, 23, Salisu Hussaini, 17, Sulaiman Abdullahi, 20 and Abdulmutallib Sa’ad, 24.
Items recovered from the suspects include one double-barrel gun with 18 live cartridges, two pistols (one English-made), an iron cutter, two cutlasses, four knives, three torchlights, and a red Toyota Corolla LE with registration number ADK 787 EV, believed to be used for operations. Two mobile phones were also seized as evidence.
Police vow to sustain crackdown under ‘Operation Kukan Kura’
CP Bakori said all suspects confessed to multiple armed robbery operations in Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja, adding that they would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
He credited the success to the command’s community-based initiative, Operation Kukan Kura, which he said had drastically reduced robbery, phone snatching, and thuggery in the state.
The commissioner praised the officers for their professionalism and thanked residents for their cooperation.
He called on the public to continue providing useful information to help police eliminate criminal elements and ensure lasting peace in Kano State.
