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Police bust Kano phone snatching syndicate, arrest suspects
Nasiru Yusuf
Police in Kano said they have smashed syndicate of mobile phone snatching syndicate who specialised in terrorising residents of Sharada, Sauna and Sabon Gari Quarters of Kano Metropolis.
Kano Focus recalled that the state records high rate of mobile phone snatching incidents in recent years which lead to deaths of many victims.
A statement issued by command’s spokesperson Abdullahi Haruna in the early hours of Tuesday said the operation followed series of complaints lodged by residents of the affected areas on the increasing rate of phone snatching.
Mr Haruna gave the names of arrested suspects as Nura Muhammad (18), Yusuf Dayyabu (20), Nura Danladi (20), Abdulkarim Abubakar (18), Imrana Salisu (19) and Friday Andrew ( 20).
Other suspects according to him are Mustapha Dahiru (18), Ibrahim Salisu (22), Najib Ibrahim (28), Dahiru Abdullahi (20), Ya’u Abdullahi (20) and Yusuf Sadiq (18).
“Based on reports from residents of Sharada, Sauna and Sabon Gari Quarters of Kano Metropolis that Mobile Phone Snatching/Robbery Syndicate relocated to these areas, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Habu A. Sani, psc, raised and instructed a team of operation Puff Adder, led by SP Bashir Musa Gwadabe, to arrest the perpetrators.
“All the suspects confessed being part of Robbery and Phone Snatching Syndicates. All of them were arrested in possession of Dangerous Weapons. The suspects also confessed being addicts of intoxicating drugs,” Mr Haruna explained.
Knives recovered from suspects
The police spokesperson added that the operation has also led to arrest of some notable drug dealers with exhibits.
He identified them as Umar Sharif (25) arrested with 137 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be lndian hemp, Gambo Idris (40) with 97 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, Ghali Alhassan (25) with 11 Bags of Exol tablets and 7 sachets of Diazepam and Barau Umar (20) with 6 Satchets of Diazepam.
Drug dealers paraded with exhibit
The suspects according to Mr Haruna confessed they sell Intoxicants to thugs (‘Yan Daba).
Arrest of suspects who specialise in stealing money from peoples’ bank account
Mr Haruna said police operatives have also arrested 6 suspects accused with stealing a Samsung Galaxy phone and used the SIM card of the stolen handset and withdrew money from phone owner’s account.
“On 03/10/2020, at about 1700hrs, one Abdulsalam Isah ‘m’ of Gwagwarwa Quarters, Kano, reported that an unknown person stole his Samsung Galaxy T5 pro Handset valued One Hundred and Eighty Thousand Naira (N180,000.00) and on the 05/10/2020, the suspect used the SIM card of the stolen Handset and withdrew money from his account, the sum of Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira (N330,000.00).
“Upon receiving the complaint, the Command’s Commissioner of the Police CP Habu A. Sani, psc raised and instructed a team of Operation Puff Adder, led by DSP Shehu Dahiru, to arrest the perpetrators,” Mr Haruna said.
The PPRO identified arrested suspects as Kabiru Adamu (24) from Kaduna State, Najib Suraj (29) of Sharada Quarters, Kano, Naziru Aminu (23) of Sharada Quarters, Kano, Auwalu Usman (22) from Kaduna state, Mustapha Mohammed (22) of Rimin Kebbe Quarters, Kano and Abdullahi Husseini (27) of Tudun Murtala Quarters, Kano.
He said the slolen Mobile Phone was recovered while all suspects have confessed committing the crime.
Arrest of suspected fraudster
The spokesperson revealed that police detectives have also arrested 19 year old Umar Isa of Kankia local government area, Katsina state for defrauding Auwalu Abdulmalik and Buhari Yusuf the sum of three hundred and thirty three thousand Naira.
Suspected fraudster
He said the suspect has also threatened to kidnap daughters of his victims if they fail to send him more money.
Mr Haruna said all suspects will be charged to court after thorough investigation.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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