Kano Police Arrest Notorious Thug ‘Sankolo’ Over Kidnap of 9-Year-Old Boy

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious thug, Abubakar Isma’il, popularly known as ‘Sankolo’, over his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a nine-year-old boy, Ubaidu Sammani, in Rimin Kebbe, Kano.

The arrest followed the earlier apprehension of another suspected thug, Umar Usman, also known as ‘Ta’ambo’, on November 5, 2026, in Rimin Kebbe and its environs.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Kano.

Kiyawa said the arrest was carried out on November 6, at about 9:30 p.m., by operatives of Zango Police Division under Operation Kukan Kura, following discreet investigations and actionable intelligence.

He said the 22-year-old suspect, a resident of Rimin Kebbe Quarters, was on the command’s wanted list over alleged involvement in thuggery and violent criminal activities in the area.

According to him, the suspect is also a principal suspect in a kidnapping case involving nine-year-old Ubaidu Sammani, son of Alhaji Sammani, who was allegedly abducted on July 3, 2026.

He added that the suspect’s alleged accomplices had already been charged to court, with trial ongoing.

The police spokesman said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect confessed to involvement in several thuggery activities and mobile phone robberies in Rimin Kebbe and neighbouring communities.

He said the suspect allegedly coordinated attacks, intimidation of residents and the snatching of mobile phones and other valuables.

Kiyawa quoted residents and community leaders in the affected areas as describing the arrest as a major breakthrough in efforts to tackle insecurity and restore peace to the communities.

He said the suspect remained in police custody, while investigations were ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang, recover stolen items and weapons, and establish his possible involvement in other criminal cases.

The statement quoted the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, as commending officers of Zango Division for their professionalism and timely action.

Bakori also appreciated members of the public for their cooperation and urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information to security agencies.

The command reiterated its commitment to combating thuggery, phone snatching, kidnapping, attacks on security personnel and other violent crimes across the state.

It urged members of the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.