Kano: Police bust inter-state car theft syndicate, recover stolen vehicles

The Nigeria Police Force in Kano State has dismantled an inter-state car theft syndicate and recovered three suspected stolen vehicles in a series of coordinated, intelligence-led operations across the state.

The breakthrough followed directives from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on proactive policing and strengthened community partnership.

According to a statement issued by the Kano State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, operatives of the Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) on May 16, 2026, arrested three suspects linked to the theft and attempted sale of a stolen Toyota Camry.

The suspects were identified as Abel Nanlir Nafa, 38, from Wuse Zone 4 in Abuja; Stephen Wanneh, 47, from Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State; and Habiba Mohammad, 35, of Naibawa Gabas in Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano.

Police investigations revealed that the first suspect allegedly received a black Toyota Camry 2015 model stolen from Enugu State for sale, fully aware that the vehicle had been stolen.

The second suspect was reportedly invited to assist in selling the vehicle and was also aware of its status.

The third suspect allegedly confessed to facilitating contact with a buyer from the Niger Republic who offered to purchase the vehicle for ₦1.5 million.

The police said the stolen Toyota Camry has been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to identify the rightful owner and apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large.

In a related operation, the Command also recovered two additional suspected stolen vehicles while investigating a Toyota Corolla LE reportedly stolen from Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Wuse, Abuja.

Police operatives stormed the residence of a fleeing suspect, Haruna Ibrahim, at Darmanawa Layout in the Naibawa area of Tarauni Local Government Area, Kano, where they recovered a red 2016 Hyundai Sonata without a registration number and an ash-coloured 2014 Hyundai Elantra with registration number KMC 523 TF.

The Command said investigations were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and recover more exhibits connected to the syndicate.

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The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the operatives for their professionalism and bravery, noting that the achievements reflected the effectiveness of intelligence-driven policing strategies.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring that all information supplied would be treated confidentially.

The Command also appealed to anyone who recognises any of the recovered vehicles to report to the Police Public Relations Office at Bompai Police Headquarters in Kano with proof of ownership.