The Kano State Police Command has announced the arrest of 19 suspects involved in armed robbery, cattle rustling, kidnapping, and other banditry-related offenses.
This was revealed in a statement signed by the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, on Wednesday.
The statement detailed that the arrests were part of a comprehensive crime prevention effort, which also led to the recovery of a substantial cache of weapons and stolen property.
Kiyawa said the suspects were apprehended during multiple coordinated operations across the state.
The statement partly, “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; (1) Auwal Fulani, aged 27 years old, ‘m’, (2) Abdullahi Salisu, aged 28 years old, ‘m’, (3) Halilu Adamu, aged 37 years old, ‘m’, (4) Abdulkarim Harisu, aged 37 years old, ‘m’, (5) Alhassan Abubakar, aged 20 years old, ‘m’, (6) Sani Abdullahi, aged 45 years old, ‘m’, (7) Tasiu Jamilu, aged 25 years old, ‘m’, (8) Sani Muhammad, aged 45 years old, ‘m’, and (9) Auwal Umar, aged 25 years old, ‘m’, all of various addresses.
“During the course of the investigation, two (2) AK-47 rifles with breach numbers: 1983NA8154 and 3398, twenty-six (26) 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,” the statement read.
Kiyawa said all the suspects confessed to belonging to a syndicate that engaged in kidnapping, cattle rustling, and other banditry-related crimes.
According to the statement, one of the suspects further revealed that they have already carried out assessment on their target location and are planning to rob at some at some places in the state.
The statement continued, “In a separate crime prevention effort of the Command, on 02/06/2024 at about 0500hrs, another syndicate with three members; (1) Samila Bello, aged 48 years old, ‘m’, (2) Abdullahi Garba, aged 35 years old, ‘m’, and (3) Mubarak Nura, aged 23 years old, ‘m’, all of various addresses were all apprehended around Hotoro Ring Road in the Kano Metropolis.
“Investigation revealed that the syndicate specialised in cattle rustling and a total of sixteen (16) rams were recovered from their possession,” Kiyawa said.
Additionally, six members of an armed robbery syndicate were captured following a robbery at Best Plastic Company on May 22.
Police recovered a smoke pistol, a pump-action rifle, live cartridges, and other weapons from the suspects’ hideout.
Furthermore, the swift action of the Warawa Division led to the rescue of a kidnapping victim and the arrest of a key suspect, Murtala Ibrahim, aged 48. The victim was released immediately after the arrest.
The statement confirmed all suspects are currently undergoing detailed investigations and will be charged in court.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Gumel, assured the public of the command’s commitment to ensuring safety and bringing criminals to justice.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with the police.