Kano: Police arrest phone snatcher with 222 stolen phones, other goods
By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
Operatives of Kano Police Command have arrested 27-year old Abba Abubakar, and recovered 222 stolen phones and other goods, including a laptop stolen from four shops at City Centre Plaza, Farm Centre GSM market from him.
Abba, a notorious phone snatcher, who hails from Brigade Quarters, Kano, was sighted loitering inside the Plaza with an iron saw and a screwdriver in his possession.
After questioning, he could not give a satisfactory account of himself.
He was arrested and brought to the station.
On November 7, 2026, Mohammed Rabo, the Chief Security Officer of City Centre Plaza, reported at Farm Centre Police Division that on the same date, about four shops were discovered broken into at the Plaza.
Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Farm Centre Division, immediately mobilised detectives to the scene in collaboration with the market security and arrested the suspect.
During the course of investigation, the suspect confessed to having broken into the said four shops and carted away the following items: one Lenovo Laptop; one Samsung Tablet; 95 pieces of keypad phones; 127 pieces of Android phones; one sound system; one inverter; 17 used Android screens; one solar controller; 29 pieces of power banks; 15 wireless ear pods; 130 varieties of phone accessories; and a cash, sum of N350,000:00.
All the items were recovered from the suspect.
The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Police Command, Mr. Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the swift response, professionalism and dedication of the Police Officers of Farm Centre Division for the arrest and recovery.
He noted that the success is a clear demonstration of prompt response to distress calls and effective collaboration with market security and members of the public.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated that the operation is in line with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which emphasises intelligence-led policing, prompt response to crime, community partnership, professionalism and respect for human rights.
The case will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
The Commissioner of Police assured traders, shop owners and residents of Kano State of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, and urged the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information.