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.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during a press briefing at the Tarauni Area Command, Kano.
Bakori said operatives of the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) achieved the breakthrough following credible intelligence and coordinated operations under the Inspector-General of Police’s Handshake Patrol initiative.
According to him, five suspects were initially arrested in Adamawa State on September 7, 2026, during an operation in which a white Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 was recovered.
He said subsequent discreet investigations and intelligence-led follow-up operations resulted in the recovery of 10 additional stolen vehicles from different locations across Kano and neighbouring states.
The Commissioner added that five more suspects were arrested at about 8:30 p.m. on September 12 at Kwankwasiya City Quarters, Tarauni, Kano, where they were allegedly found in possession of a stolen white Toyota Hilux with registration number KATSINA 03L-02KT.
Bakori said the development brought the total number of suspects arrested to 10 and vehicles recovered to 12.
He stated that during interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to a series of vehicle thefts in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other neighbouring states.
The suspects, he added, also disclosed that their alleged modus operandi involved stealing vehicles, concealing them at different locations and transporting them across state borders for sale.
The recovered vehicles include 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.
Bakori expressed concern that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were not registered, saying the situation had made it difficult for the police to trace some of their owners.
He warned motorists against driving unregistered vehicles or using covered, concealed or covert number plates, noting that such practices could aid criminal activities and frustrate investigations.
The Commissioner said the Command would sustain enforcement against unregistered and improperly registered vehicles as part of efforts to curb vehicle-related crimes.
He also said the Command had strengthened intelligence gathering and repositioned its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Special Intervention Squad (SIS) to respond rapidly to violent crimes, motor vehicle theft, kidnapping and other security challenges.
Bakori commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and neighbouring police commands for intelligence sharing and operational cooperation that contributed to the arrests and recoveries.
He also acknowledged the role of members of the public in providing information that assisted the operation.
The Commissioner warned fleeing members of the syndicate that the police would continue efforts to apprehend them, adding that investigations were ongoing to recover more stolen vehicles and identify other members of the network.
He directed owners of the recovered vehicles to contact the Investigating Police Officer on 07063407910, the Office of the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), or the Officer in Charge of the Special Intervention Squad at Court Road, Tarauni Area Command, Kano, with valid proof of ownership.
Bakori further urged residents to report suspicious movements of vehicles or persons to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575 and 09029292926.
He said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.