The Kano State Police Command has apprehended two suspects, Ibrahim Adamu and Mujittafa Sale, in connection with the theft of 996 mobile phones, laptops, ATM cards, and cash from Farm Center and Beirut Road GSM markets located in the state metropolis.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this to the press in Kano on Tuesday evening. He revealed that the police had received multiple complaints from shop owners who reported break-ins and significant thefts of mobile phones and accessories worth millions of naira.
Kiyawa stated, “The Police Command was following up on a public outcry received from the coordinators of Dansulaika GSM Market, Farm Center, Kano, that unknown persons broke into 11 shops through the roof ceilings and stole away the following items: Some mobile phones, desktop and laptop computers, some sales money, ATM cards, and other accessories.”
In response, the police initiated an intelligence-led operation, resulting in the arrest of Ibrahim Adamu, a resident of Sallari Quarters in Tarauni Local Government Area of Kano. The suspect confessed to acting alone and led the authorities to recover 106 mobile phones, 9 laptops, sales proceeds totaling N115,940, nine ATM cards, and other accessories. The suspect is set to face legal charges once the ongoing investigation is completed.
Additionally, another case emerged when a mobile phone marketer at Beirut Road GSM Market in Kano reported that several brands of mobile phones and accessories had been stolen from his shop, and he suspected his salesboy, Mujittafa Sale, aged 19, from Dukawuya Quarters in Kano.
The Commissioner of Police instructed a team of detectives to conduct a thorough investigation, which led to the arrest of Mujittafa Sale. He admitted to conspiring with Ahmed Abbati, aged 23, of Dukawuya Quarters, Kano, in committing the theft.
Further investigation resulted in the apprehension of individuals who assisted in hiding the stolen mobile phones and accessories. These individuals were identified as Musa Muhammad Shafi’u, aged 25; Nusairu Nasiru, aged 22; and Usman Muhammad, aged 25, all from Dukawuya Quarters, Kano. A total of 890 mobile phones were recovered from them.
The suspects will face legal action upon the conclusion of the investigation. The Commissioner of Police advised shop owners to exercise caution when entrusting their businesses to others and reiterated the commitment of the police to safeguarding the lives and property of all residents in the state.
