Kano police arrests suspects that specialized in mobile phone theft

Mobile phone snatchers arrested by Kano police.

Kano State Police Command agents have apprehended a group of criminals who specialize in mobile phone theft in the state.

Two tricycles and seventeen stolen mobile phones were seized from the suspects, according to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, in a statement released on Saturday, December 25.

“In line with the directives of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Baba Usman, psc(+), NPM, fdc on Community-based policing, Operation Puff Adder, round the clock visibility patrols during this festive period and the Command’s efforts to rid Kano State of all forms of crimes and criminality, especially the menace of thuggery (Daba), Drug Abuse (Kwaya) and other social vices, the command arrested syndicates of suspects that specialized in theft of Mobile phones especially with the aid of Tricycles. Suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” he stated.

According to the PPRO, the command apprehended two suspects who purposely came to Kano state to engage in theft of mobile phones.

“On the 23/12/2021, reports were received from eight people of different addresses that on the same date at different times, they boarded tricycles and the occupants inside conspired and stole away their mobile phones,” the statement read.

On receipt of the reports, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, raised and instructed team of Operation Puff Adder led by CSP Abdulkarim Abdullahi to recover the mobile phones and arrest the culprits.

“The team immediately swung in to action. Sustained follow-up and credible information received led to the arrest of one Abubakar Abdullahi, ‘m’, 20 years old, of Maiduguri, Borno State and Abubakar Muhd, ‘m’, 20 years old, ‘m’ of Mubi, Adamawa State

The suspects were arrested in possession of a tricycle and eight mobile phones. On preliminary investigation, suspects confessed to be using tricycle, disguise by carrying passengers to steal their Mobile Phones if the customers boarded the Tricycle.

“They also confessed to purposely came to Kano to steal mobile phones. Owners of the mobile phones were contacted. Suspects will be charged to court upon completion of discreet Investigation,” the PPRO said.

Kiyawa said the command also arrested syndicates of suspects that specialized in theft of mobile phones.

“On the 24/12/2021 at about 1320hrs, team of Operation Puff Adder led by SP Auwalu Bala, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Kwakwaci Division Kano while on intelligence-led surveillance patrol along Hajj Camp Traffic Light, Katsina Road Kano intercepted a Tricycle with Reg. No. KANO FGG 216 QW and KAROTA Number DAL 19/1124 with two occupants, (1) Sa’adu Jafar, ‘m’ (2) Nafi’u Bala, ‘m’ all of Kurna Asabe Quarters Kano. On spot search, five (5) Mobile Phones were recovered from them

“On Investigation, suspects confessed that, they stole three (3) Mobile Phones from their passengers after they boarded their Tricycle. Case have been transferred to the Command’s Criminal investigation department for discreet Investigation, after which suspects will be charged to court for prosecution

In a similar development, the command also arrested another suspect that specialized in mobile phone theft.

“On the 25/12/2021 at about 1800hrs, team of Operation Puff Adder led by DSP Abubakar Abdulmalik, Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Zango Division Kano while on surveillance patrol at Zango Quarters Kano arrested one Isma’il Jamilu, ‘m’, 18 years old, of Dawaki Quarters Kano in possession of four (4) Mobile Phones

“On preliminary investigation, suspect confessed to have specialized in theft of Mobile Phones and that, he stole the Mobile Phones from different individuals at different places. Suspect will be charged to court upon completion of discreet Investigation.”

CP Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, the Commissioner of Police for Kano State Command, has called on all criminals, especially thugs and drug traffickers, to repent or leave the state totally, otherwise, they will be caught and face the full wrath of the law.
He expressed gratitude to the Kano State government and the people for their prayers, unwavering support, understanding, encouragement, and collaboration.

He advised residents to pray for the state and the country, as well as report incidents to the nearest police station, rather than attempting to laws into their hands.

Rigid patrols and raids on criminal hideouts and black spots will continue across the state, as the Command keeps up the pace in protecting the safety of persons and property, according to the CP.

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