Kano Police Arrest 10 Suspects, Recover 12 Stolen Vehicles

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an interstate motor vehicle theft syndicate and recovered 12 stolen vehicles during operations across Kano and neighbouring states.

The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during a press briefing at the Tarauni Area Command, Kano.

Bakori said the operation was carried out by the command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) following credible intelligence.

He said the first operation was conducted on September 7, 2026, in Adamawa State, where five suspected members of the syndicate were arrested and a white Mercedes Benz GLK 350 recovered.

“Following the arrest and recovery, the Command immediately commenced discreet investigation and intelligence-led follow-up,” the commissioner said.

According to him, the follow-up operations led to the tracing and recovery of 10 additional stolen vehicles linked to the syndicate in different locations across Kano and neighbouring states.

The police subsequently arrested five more suspects on September 12 at about 8:30pm at Kwankwasiya City Quarters, Tarauni, Kano.

The suspects were allegedly found in possession of a stolen white Toyota Hilux with registration number KATSINA 03L-02KT.

“This brings the total number of suspects arrested to ten (10) and vehicles recovered to twelve (12),” Bakori said.

The commissioner said the suspects confessed during interrogation to a series of vehicle thefts in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other neighbouring states.

He said the syndicate’s alleged modus operandi involved stealing vehicles, concealing them in different locations and moving them across state borders for sale.

“Investigation is ongoing and efforts are being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate and to recover more stolen vehicles,” he said.

The 12 recovered vehicles include a Toyota Corolla LE, three Pontiac Vibe vehicles, a 4MATIC GLK 350, two Toyota Hilux vehicles, two Toyota Sienna vehicles, a Toyota Sienna XLE, Toyota RAV4, Toyota Camry “Big for Nothing” and Hyundai Tucson.

The police also raised concerns over vehicle registration, revealing that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered.

Bakori said the lack of registration had made it difficult for the police to trace some of the vehicles’ owners.

“This further reinforces our commitment to ensuring that all vehicles plying our roads are duly registered,” he said.

He warned that the command would not tolerate the use of vehicles without number plates or with covered or concealed number plates, noting that unregistered vehicles could aid criminal activities and frustrate investigations.

“This recovery clearly shows the effect and justification of our ongoing enforcement on unregistered and improperly registered vehicles, as unregistered vehicles aid crimes and frustrate investigation and recovery,” Bakori said.

The commissioner said the Command would continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational capacity and cooperation with neighbouring police commands to disrupt interstate criminal networks.

He also acknowledged the role of the public in providing information that contributed to the arrests.

Owners of the recovered vehicles were advised to contact the Investigating Police Officer, the Office of the Police Public Relations Officer or the Officer in Charge of the Special Intervention Squad at Court Road, Tarauni Area Command, Kano, with valid proof of ownership.

The police also urged members of the public to report suspicious movements of vehicles or persons to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency numbers.

The suspects, according to the commissioner, will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.