The Police Command in Kano State has announced the arrest of 3,081 suspects on allegations ranging from armed robbery to kidnapping and drug trafficking.
At an end-of-year press briefing held on Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Bompai, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, detailed a string of significant achievements since he assumed office on March 17, 2025. The high arrest figure, he said, reflects a sustained operational focus on crime prevention and community safety.
According to the police chief, among the thousands apprehended were: 146 alleged armed robbery suspects, 50 individuals accused of kidnapping offences, 112 suspected drug dealers, and over 2,300 individuals identified as suspected thugs (locally known as Yan Daba)
In addition, the command reported that it rescued 14 kidnapping victims during various operations carried out across the state.
Therefore, CP Bakori also highlighted the volume of dangerous exhibits recovered during the year’s crime-fighting operations. These firearms, include, AK-47 rifles, pistols and locally made guns, as well as ammunition, illicit drugs, stolen vehicles, motorcycles, tricycles and mobile phones believed to be linked to criminal activity.
While detailed figures for recovered weapons and exhibits were not immediately provided at the briefing, analysts point to previous Kano police reports showing consistent seizures of illegal arms and stolen property during similar operations in the state, underscoring ongoing challenges in curbing violent crime.
CP Bakori attributed the results to a blend of modern policing strategies and collaborative security efforts. Among the approaches he emphasised were: Intelligence-led policing, active community engagement, capacity building for officers, and joint border patrols with other security agencies
Furthermore, he also cited the role of Operation Kukan Kura, a state policing initiative aimed at strengthening security and pre-empting criminal activities in vulnerable areas. According to Bakori, this operation has “contributed significantly to the decline in crime, ushering in improved peace and security across the state.”
The police chief urged residents to continue partnering with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities and providing timely information that could prevent crime.
“We are unwaveringly committed to maintaining peace and security in the state,” CP Bakori stated during the briefing, stressing the importance of collective responsibility between security agencies and communities in building safer neighbourhoods.
While the large number of arrests signals proactive law enforcement, civil society and security analysts say sustained efforts, including effective prosecution and community reintegration programs, will be critical to ensure long-term reductions in criminality across Kano.
