The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an alleged interstate motor vehicle theft syndicate and recovered 12 stolen vehicles linked to the group.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Tarauni Area Command in Kano.
According to him, the suspects were arrested during separate operations by the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS).
He said the operation was conducted as part of efforts to dismantle interstate criminal networks under the Inspector-General of Police’s Handshake Patrol initiative. Bakori said five suspects were first arrested in Adamawa State on September 7, 2026, following credible intelligence.
He said one white Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 was recovered from the suspects during the operation.
‘Following the arrest and recovery, the Command immediately commenced discreet investigation and intelligence-led follow-up. This led to the tracing and recovery of additional 10 stolen motor vehicles linked to the syndicate in different locations across Kano and neighbouring states,’ he said.
Bakori said in a further operation on September 12, five more suspects were arrested at Kwankwasiyya City Quarters, Tarauni, Kano, allegedly in possession of a stolen white Toyota Hilux with registration number KATSINA 03L-02KT.
He said the development brought the total number of suspects arrested to 10 and vehicles recovered to 12.
The commissioner said preliminary investigation showed that the suspects had allegedly been involved in motor vehicle theft in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other neighbouring states.
He said the suspects had also disclosed how the syndicate allegedly operated by stealing vehicles, concealing them at different locations and moving them across state borders for sale.
Bakori said investigation was ongoing, while efforts were being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen vehicles.
Among the recovered vehicles are Toyota Corolla LE, Pontiac Vibe, Mercedes-Benz GLK 350, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Sienna, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Tucson and another Toyota Hilux bearing Katsina registration number.
The commissioner expressed concern that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, saying the development had made it difficult for the police to trace some of the owners.
He said the situation reinforced the need for vehicle owners to comply with registration requirements.
‘The Command will not tolerate driving of motor vehicles without number plates or with covered number plates,’ he said.
Bakori said unregistered vehicles could aid criminal activities and make investigation and recovery of stolen vehicles more difficult.
He said the Command had strengthened intelligence gathering and repositioned its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and SIS as rapid response units to tackle violent crimes, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping and other security challenges.
He added that the Command would continue to collaborate with neighbouring police commands through the Handshake Patrol initiative to prevent criminals from exploiting state boundaries.
The commissioner also appealed to members of the public to provide timely information on suspicious movements of vehicles and persons.
He said owners of the recovered vehicles could contact the investigating police officer on 07063407910, the office of the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), or the Officer in Charge of the SIS at Court Road, Tarauni Area Command, Kano, with valid proof of ownership.
Bakori said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of the investigation.