The Kano State Police Command has arrested 19 suspects in connection with various crimes including armed robbery, cattle rustling, kidnapping, and other banditry-related crimes.
This is contained in a statement on Wednesday issued by the commands Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa.
The statement said, “On 02/06/2024 at about 0630hrs, police patrol team led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Hotoro Division, SP Umar Lawal while working in partnership with members of community, arrested the following nine (9) suspects:
Auwal Fulani, 27, Abdullahi Salisu, 28, Halilu Adamu, 37, ‘Abdulkarim Harisu, 37, Alhassan Abubakar, 20, Sani Abdullahi, 45, Tasiu Jamilu, 25, Sani Muhammad, 45, and Auwal Umar, 25, all males of various addresses.
“During the course of the investigation, two AK-47 rifles with breach numbers: 1983NA8154 and 3398, twenty-six rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and one of their operational motor vehicles, a Toyota Sienna with Reg no Yab 243 AG were recovered from them.
“All the suspects confessed to belonging to a syndicate that engaged in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other banditry-related crimes. One of the suspects further revealed that they have already carried out assessment on their target location and are planning to rob at some places in the State,” he said.
In a separate development, the command said another syndicate with three members: Samila Bello, 48, Abdullahi Garba, 35, and Mubarak Nura, 23, all males of various addresses were all apprehended around Hotoro Ring Road in the Kano metropolis.
“Investigation revealed that the syndicate specialized in cattle rustling and a total of 16 rams were recovered from their possession,” Kiyawa said.
He added that “Following a report of armed robbery at Best Plastic Company located along Hadejia Road Kano, on 22/05/2024 at about 0255hrs, where the robbers carted away with one AK-47 rifle from a security personnel on duty. Consequently, the command began trail of the suspects.
“Sustained follow-up led to the arrest of the following six members of the armed robbery syndicate on 02/06/2025 by Police Operatives at their hideout while preparing to escape from the State: Usman Abdullahi, 26, Mustapha Umar, 25, Nazifi Abdullahi, 30, Isa Abbas, 21, Junaidu Hamisu, 33, and Abdulrazak Aliyu, 22.
“During the course of the investigation, the suspects confessed to the crime, and the following exhibits were recovered in their hideout located behind Port Container Base, Kano: One smoke pistol with breach no: 3634566 loaded with one canister, one pump action rifle with breach no: 12649 loaded with 17 live cartridges, one motor vehicle mini pick up, six cutlasses, three sharp knives and other house breaking implements.
“The suspects further confessed to series of armed robbery incidents within the Metropolis,” the statement added.
Similarly, based on credible information received by the DPO of Warawa Division that one one Sa’adu Balarabe, of Hotoro Quarters, Kano was kidnapped.
“On receipt of the report, team of detectives swung into action and arrested one Murtala Ibrahim, 48, of Kawon Mai Gari Quarters.
“The victim was released immediately after the arrest of the said suspect. The victim further revealed that the other suspects escaped and abandoned him.
“All the suspects are currently undergoing detailed investigation at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Command thereafter will be charged to court for prosecution,” it said
Meanwhile, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, has assured the public that the command will continue to work tirelessly towards ensuring the protection of the lives and property of all Kano residents and bring perpetrators of criminal activities to justice.
He thanked the law-abiding people of the State for their support and cooperation and also called on everyone to keep cooperating with the Police in their efforts to keep the State safe.
