Kano Police Arrest 10 Suspects, Recover 12 Stolen Vehicles

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an interstate motor vehicle theft syndicate and recovered 12 stolen vehicles in operations conducted across Kano and neighbouring states.

Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Tarauni Area Command, Kano, saying the breakthrough was achieved by operatives of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).

CP Bakori said the operation followed credible intelligence received on September 7, 2026, which led SIS operatives to Adamawa State, where five suspects were arrested and a white Mercedes Benz GLK 350 recovered.

He said subsequent discreet investigations and intelligence-led follow-up operations resulted in the recovery of 10 additional stolen vehicles from different locations in Kano and neighbouring states.

The Commissioner added that on September 12, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., SIS operatives arrested five more suspects at Kwankwasiya City Quarters, Tarauni, Kano, while in possession of a stolen white Toyota Hilux with registration number KATSINA 03L-02KT.

He said the suspects, during interrogation, confessed to stealing vehicles in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other neighbouring states, while also revealing that the syndicate concealed stolen vehicles before moving them across state borders for sale.

According to him, the 12 vehicles recovered include Toyota Corolla LE, Pontiac Vibe, Mercedes Benz GLK 350, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Sienna, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Tucson and another Toyota Hilux. CP Bakori noted that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, making it difficult for the police to trace their owners and reinforcing the need for vehicle owners to ensure proper registration and display of valid number plates.

The CP said the operation was in line with the policing vision of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, particularly the Handshake Patrol initiative designed to strengthen intelligence sharing and operational collaboration among neighbouring police commands.

He said the Kano Command had strengthened intelligence gathering, repositioned the SIS and Violent Crime Response Unit for rapid response, and would continue working with other commands to disrupt interstate criminal networks.

CP Bakori advised owners of the recovered vehicles to contact the investigating police officer on 07063407910, the Police Public Relations Officer or the Officer in Charge of the Special Intervention Squad at Court Road, Tarauni Area Command, with valid proof of ownership.

He urged residents to report suspicious movements of vehicles and persons to the nearest police station or the Command’s emergency numbers, 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926, adding that the suspects would be charged to court after the completion of investigation.