In a significant blow to criminal operations in Kano State, the State Police Command has dismantled a notorious gun smuggling ring and arrested no fewer than 157 individuals linked to a wide range of violent crimes, including armed robbery, drug trafficking, theft, and street gang violence.
The revelation was made on Wednesday by the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Bakori, during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters. He detailed the results of an intensified security operation that spanned from March 17 to mid-April 2025, stating that the renewed energy of the force, driven by coordinated intelligence and community collaboration, has begun yielding meaningful outcomes.
Among the most striking breakthroughs was the successful dismantling of a network of criminals suspected of trafficking firearms into the state. This operation led to the recovery of 19 locally fabricated revolver rifles, a fabricated pistol, and an alarming cache of ammunition comprising 114 live cartridges, six spent shells, and 11 live rounds. CP Bakori also disclosed that a large consignment of suspected tramadol tablets—estimated at a street value of N150 million—was intercepted in the course of the operations.
The commissioner gave a breakdown of the arrests, revealing that 24 suspects were apprehended for armed robbery, 14 for illicit drug distribution, seven for vehicle theft, five for stealing motorcycles, 28 for burglary and theft-related crimes, while a staggering 79 individuals identified as street gang members—commonly referred to as “Yan Daba”—were also taken into custody.
The wide-ranging offensive against criminality also resulted in the seizure of numerous dangerous weapons and contraband. Items recovered include English-made pistols, two vehicles, two tricycles, three motorcycles, six cartons of ampicillin, 22 bottles of the notorious street intoxicant known as “suck and die,” as well as 69 sachets and 260 pieces of exol tablets.
Additionally, security operatives confiscated an arsenal of crude weapons, including 57 cutlasses, 71 knives, 15 sharpened iron rods, seven pairs of scissors, two axes, and even a traditional bow, all of which were being used to terrorize residents and conduct violent robberies across various parts of the state.
CP Bakori assured residents of Kano that the Police Command is committed to sustaining this momentum through targeted intelligence-led operations and community-oriented policing. He emphasized that plans are underway to roll out a series of engagements with local communities to foster stronger cooperation between the police and the public, which he described as crucial in the ongoing effort to curb crime and uphold public safety.
He commended the courage and professionalism of officers involved in the operations and reiterated the Command’s unwavering resolve to rid Kano State of criminal elements. According to him, the safety of lives and property remains paramount, and every resource within the Command’s reach will be deployed to maintain peace and order.
KIIN360 will continue to track developments as the Kano State Police Command intensifies its campaign against insecurity and criminal networks across the state.