Kano police arrest 98 suspects for armed robbery, kidnapping, thuggery, drug dealing and fraud

Friday, July 11, 2025 - The Kano State Command has arrested 98 suspected criminals involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, thuggery (Daba), drug dealings, theft, and fraud within the last 24 days. 

The State Police Commissioner, CP Ibrahim Bakori, disclosed this while addressing a news conference on Thursday, July 10, 2025.

He said other suspects arrested included four suspected kidnappers, five suspected drug dealers, 12 suspected motor vehicle thieves, four suspected fraudsters, five suspected thieves, and 47 suspected thugs. 

The police boss said exhibits recovered from them included dangerous weapons; suspected stolen motor vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones, etc.; illicit drugs; and counterfeit currencies. 

“In this early second half of the year 2025 (i.e. 3rd Quarter of the Year), the dynamic security situation of the State was carefully studied and demographically analyzed. consequently, the Command has now strategically launched a Special Operation, tagged “Operation Kukan Kura” which symbolizes adherence to the co-ethics of community policing where members of the public participate actively in policing activities, including information sharing, crime prevention, management and control,” the CP stated.

"This is in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM to all Police Commands and Formations on community-centric policing and strategy to dominate the public space against all forms of crimes and criminality.

"The objective of this Special Operation is to act as a radar to detect and proactively nip in the bud any threats of thuggery-related crimes within Kano Metropolis, banditry and kidnapping along Kano borders, drug trafficking and abuse as well as other social vices in the State. Significant breakthroughs have been made since the launch of the operation on 1st of July, 2025.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, from the Command’s last Press Release of 16th June, 2025 (i.e. within 24 days), a total of ninety-eight (98) suspects have been arrested, involved in twenty-one (21) major cases of armed robbery, thuggery (Daba), drug dealings, theft, fraud, etc.

 “Exhibits recovered from them included dangerous weapons; suspected stolen motor vehicles, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones etc.; illicit drugs and counterfeit currencies.”

The summary of the achievements recorded is as follows:

ARRESTS: Four (04) suspected kidnappers, twenty-one (21) suspected armed robbers, five (5) suspected drug dealers, twelve (12) suspected motor vehicle thieves, four (04) suspected fraudsters, five (05) suspected thieves and forty-seven (47) suspected thugs.

RECOVERIES: Six (06) motor vehicles, Eight (08) Tricycles, Ten (10) motorcycles, forty-two (42) tubes of red solutions, thirty-five (35) parcels, one thousand one hundred and twenty-three (1123) wraps of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa, eighty-six (86) Bottle of suck and die, thirty (30) sachets, forty-three (43) pieces of Exol tablets, ten (10) sachets and fifty-three (53) pieces of diazepam tablets, sixteen (16) cutlasses and Ninety-eight (98) knives, ten thousand counterfeit US dollar ($10,000), thirteen (13) mobile phones and five (05) motor batteries and three (03) motor spare tyres.

Continuing, the commissioner said; "the newly launched Operation Kukan Kura is being integrated into the several robust Operational Strategies earlier adopted by the Command that have had great impact in curbing crimes in the State, including Intelligence-led Raid operations, visibility patrols, strengthened synergy with other security agencies, strategic communication, and robust community policing engagements with traditional rulers, religious leaders, members of the press, youths’ groups, NGOs, CSOs, community members and other key stakeholders, etc.

“Finally, I would like to thank members of the public for their cooperation. I assure you that the Kano State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the State. I urge everyone to keep reporting any suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or through the following emergency contact numbers; 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926.