The Kano State Police Command has dismantled an inter-state car theft syndicate and recovered three suspected stolen vehicles in coordinated operations across the state, the command said on Saturday.
According to a press release signed by Police Public Relations Officer CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad arrested three suspects on May 16, 2026, following credible intelligence on a stolen Toyota Camry syndicate.
Those arrested were identified as Abel Nanlir Nafa, 38, of Wuse Zone 4, Abuja; Stephen Wanneh, 47, of Kaura LGA, Kaduna State; and Habiba Mohammad, 35, of Naibawa Gabas, Kumbotso LGA, Kano State.
Police said the first suspect confessed that a suspect now at large stole a black 2015 Toyota Camry without registration number from Enugu State and handed it to him for sale, knowing it was stolen.
The second suspect was invited to help sell the vehicle and was also aware of its stolen status, while the third suspect said she contacted a receiver, a Nigerien national, who offered to buy it for ₦1.5 million.
The stolen Toyota Camry has been recovered. Police said efforts are ongoing to identify the owner and arrest other accomplices still at large.
In a related operation, the command also recovered two additional suspected stolen vehicles from the residence of Haruna Ibrahim, of Darmanawa Layout, Naibawa, Tarauni LGA, Kano State. The suspect remains at large. The recovered vehicles are a 2016 red Hyundai Sonata without registration number and a 2014 ash-colored Hyundai Elantra with registration number KMC 523 TF.
The recovery follows an ongoing investigation into a Toyota Corolla LE stolen from Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Mambolo Street, Zone 2, Wuse, Abuja.
Commissioner of Police CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori commended the operatives for their professionalism, saying the breakthroughs reflect the impact of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive on intelligence-led policing, inter-agency synergy, and community partnership.
The command urged the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information through its control room lines: 08032419754, 08123821575, and 09029292926. It added that anyone who recognizes the recovered vehicles should contact 07063407910 or report at the PPRO’s office at Bompai Police Headquarters, Kano, with proof of ownership.
“The Kano State Police Command remains resolute in its mandate to ensure Kano remains safe, secure, and hostile to criminal elements,” the statement said.
