From Dispatch Room
The Kano State Police Command has announced major operational breakthroughs against alleged inter-state vehicle theft and trafficking syndicates, leading to the arrest of three suspects and the recovery of multiple suspected stolen vehicles during coordinated intelligence-led operations across Kano State.
According to a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the operations were carried out in line with directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on proactive policing and intelligence-driven crime prevention.
The police disclosed that operatives attached to the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) arrested three suspects on May 16, 2026, over an alleged stolen Toyota Camry syndicate.
The suspects were identified as Abel Nanlir Nafa, 38, from Wuse Zone 4, Abuja; Stephen Wanneh, 47, from Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State; and Habiba Mohammad, 35, from Naibawa Gabas in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State.
Investigators said preliminary findings indicated that the black Toyota Camry 2015 model, allegedly stolen from Enugu State, was being moved through a coordinated network for sale outside its original location.
Police authorities stated that one of the suspects allegedly confessed that the vehicle had been handed over to him for sale despite knowing it was stolen, while another suspect was allegedly invited to assist in disposing of the vehicle.
The third suspect reportedly told investigators she contacted a buyer believed to be a citizen of Niger Republic who allegedly offered ₦1.5 million for the vehicle.
The stolen Toyota Camry has since been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to trace the rightful owner and apprehend other fleeing suspects connected to the syndicate.
In a separate operation linked to an earlier recovered Toyota Corolla allegedly stolen from Abuja, police operatives reportedly stormed the residence of a principal suspect identified as Haruna Ibrahim in Darmanawa Layout, Naibawa area of Kano.
Although the suspect escaped before police arrival, operatives recovered two additional vehicles suspected to have been stolen. The vehicles include a red 2016 Hyundai Sonata without registration number and an ash-coloured 2014 Hyundai Elantra bearing registration number KMC 523 TF.
The Kano State Police Command urged anyone who recognizes the recovered vehicles to report to the Police Public Relations Office at Bompai Police Headquarters with proof of ownership.
Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, commended the operatives involved in the operations, describing the recoveries as evidence of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and community partnership.
The Command also appealed to residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information to help combat criminal activities across the state.
— Newspot Nigeria
