The Kano State Police Command has arrested ten suspects for kidnapping and armed robbery, recovering about N5 million in ransom money, firearms, and ammunition.
The arrests followed intensified security measures introduced by the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori who assumed duty on March 17.
Police spokesperson SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the crackdown was in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, urging commands nationwide to strengthen intelligence and operational capabilities.
According to Kiyawa, a series of coordinated operations led to the arrest of multiple suspects linked to violent crimes across Kano.
Among them were two men caught red-handed during a robbery incident at Badawa Layout.
“A distress call alerted our officers to an ongoing attack. Our swift response led to the arrest of Awwal Hassan Ibrahim, 29, and Suleiman Umar, 24, both from Plateau State. A loaded Beretta pistol was recovered,” he said.
Similarly, a 25-year-old armed robbery suspect, Shuaibu Yakubu, alias Dan Bula Bula, was arrested in possession of an AK-47 rifle with 12 rounds of ammunition and a stolen Pontiac Vibe vehicle.
The suspect allegedly confessed to a series of armed robberies in Kano and Abuja.
In another operation, detectives arrested Friday Bitrus, 38, and Daniel Samuel, 25, at Zango Quarters, Kano, recovering a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and an axe.
The most significant case involved the rescue of a kidnapped victim, Muhammad Bello, 21, from Zakirai Town in Gabasawa Local Government Area.
The police launched an intelligence-driven operation after his family reported the abduction and a N15 million ransom demand.
Between March 11 and 18, officers arrested five suspects, including two women, and recovered a Dane gun along with N4.85 million from the ransom money.
“These arrests demonstrate our commitment to keeping Kano safe. We will leave no stone unturned in tackling criminal activities,” CP Bakori assured.
All suspects are in police custody and will be charged in court upon completion of investigations.
