By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu, Kano
Kano State Police Command said it has arrested 78 suspects and recovered a significant quantity of illicit drugs, weapons, and stolen property as part of efforts to curb criminal activity across the state.
The announcement was made by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori during a press briefing held at the Bompai Police Headquarters on Friday.
According to CP Bakori, the operation is in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, who tasked all police commands to adopt modern, results-oriented crime prevention strategies to improve security nationwide.
Outlining the command’s strategy, CP Bakori highlighted round-the-clock visibility patrols, operational sectorization of the state, intelligence-led raids, stop-and-search operations, community policing initiatives, and enhanced training for officers particularly within the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as the backbone of the recent crackdown.
“These strategic interventions have resulted in tremendous successes in recent weeks,” he said.
One of the key arrests includes that of Sulaiman Danwawu, 32, a notorious drug dealer from Tudun Yola Quarters, who had previously been charged in 2022 for the possession of 500 cartons of suspected Tramadol. He was re-arrested in possession of more illicit substances.
In another operation, a suspected armed robber was apprehended with two Beretta pistols and ten rounds of live ammunition.
Between April 23 and May 9, 2025, the command arrested five suspected armed robbers, seven suspected drug dealers, one suspected cattle rustler, four suspected fraudsters, 13 suspected thieves, and 48 suspected thugs (Yan Daba).
Recovered items include two Beretta pistols with 10 live rounds; assorted quantities of Pregabalin, Diazepam, Tramadol, Codeine, Pentazocine, and Cannabis; eight motor vehicles, three tricycles, and two motorcycles; 12 cutlasses, 15 knives; counterfeit currency: 198 pieces of US dollars and ₦311,000; five sheep, two rams and 12 mobile phones, an alternator generator, and various household items.
CP Bakori stated that the recoveries and arrests underscore the effectiveness of the command’s strategies in tackling crimes, particularly those linked to drug trafficking and abuse, which he described as major contributors to thuggery, armed robbery, and other violent crimes.
“These achievements are testaments to the fact that the strategies employed are working. We have significantly reduced incidences of phone snatching, thuggery, and car theft,” he said.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining peace in the state and urged the public to support the police by providing timely and credible information to avert potential threats.
“I want to appreciate the support of the media and the law-abiding people of Kano. We count on your cooperation to keep Kano safe,” CP Bakori concluded.