The Kano State Police Command has arrested nine suspected members of a notorious armed robbery gang believed to be responsible for a series of violent robberies across Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja.
The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, announced the breakthrough on Monday during a press conference at the Command Headquarters, Bompai, Kano.
He said the arrests followed a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, charging all Commands to dominate the public space and strategically tackle all forms of criminal activities within their jurisdictions.
According to CP Bakori, the operation was launched following an armed robbery incident that occurred in the early hours of October 8, 2025, at Unguwar Wambai, Dorayi Babba Quarters in Kano. The robbers, he said, invaded a residence around 2 a.m., armed with rifles, and carted away a Toyota Yaris vehicle, cash amounting to ₦3.7 million, foreign currencies, three mobile phones, and other valuables.
The Commissioner disclosed that during the attack, the hoodlums also assaulted the homeowner’s wife, inflicting severe injuries that resulted in the loss of one of her teeth. Police officers from the Dorayi Divisional Headquarters promptly responded, leading to the arrest of one suspect at the scene.
Following that breakthrough, the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) was deployed on his directive. Acting on credible intelligence, the team tracked and apprehended eight additional suspects across various locations in 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.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to multiple armed robbery operations within Kano, Kaduna, and Abuja, including another recent attack at Unguwar Jakada in Dorayi Quarters.
CP Bakori stated that the police recovered a large cache of weapons and exhibits from the suspects. The items include one double-barrel gun with breach number 273720, eighteen live cartridges, one English Falcon pistol, one scrapped Phoenix pistol, one iron cutter, two cutlasses, four sharp knives, three torchlights, and a red Toyota Corolla LE with registration number ADK 787 EV used for operations.
The suspects also had in their possession two mobile phones believed to have been stolen from previous victims. The police said efforts are ongoing to recover additional stolen items and trace the gang’s wider network.
The Commissioner confirmed that all suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations. He assured residents that the Command remains committed to dismantling criminal syndicates and ensuring the safety of lives and property in Kano State.
Highlighting the impact of the Command’s community-driven strategy, CP Bakori said the “Operation Kukan Kura” initiative has drastically reduced crime in the state. He noted that mobile phone snatching, armed robbery, and thuggery activities, locally known as fadan daba, have significantly declined.
He commended the professionalism and bravery of the officers who carried out the operation, describing their success as a reflection of the Command’s renewed commitment to proactive policing and intelligence-led crime prevention.
The Commissioner also expressed appreciation to residents for their cooperation, stressing that public support remains crucial to the success of policing efforts. He urged citizens to continue providing credible information that can help in combating criminal activities across the state.
CP Bakori concluded by reaffirming the Command’s resolve to work closely with communities, maintain police visibility, and ensure that Kano remains one of the safest states in the country.
