Kano Police Arrest Suspected Car Thief, Recover Two Stolen Vehicles

The Kano State Police Command has announced a major success in its continuous efforts to curb car theft within the state. This follows two separate incidents of vehicle theft that were swiftly addressed by law enforcement officers in recent weeks.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, explained that the breakthrough was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, who ordered constant patrols and intelligence-driven security operations across Kano State.

According to the police report, on August 28, 2025, at approximately 1:25 pm, a woman residing in Sharada Quarters reported a case involving her Mercedes-Benz with registration number BWR-442 Abuja. The car had been handed over to a 42-year-old mechanic, Abubakar Yakubu, for air conditioning repairs. However, instead of carrying out the repairs, the suspect absconded with the vehicle.

SP Kiyawa confirmed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, immediately deployed tactical teams to pursue the matter. The suspect was eventually tracked to Kaduna State, where investigations revealed that he sold the Mercedes-Benz and exchanged it for a Toyota Corolla, adding an extra ₦7 million to finalize the deal. Police operatives have since arrested the suspect, recovered the Toyota Corolla, and launched ongoing efforts to trace the stolen Mercedes-Benz.

In a separate case that occurred on August 25, 2025, a 48-year-old man from Mariri Quarters, Kano, reported a suspicious transaction involving another Toyota Corolla. The complainant alleged that one Ibrahim Garba from Kaduna offered to sell him the vehicle for ₦2.2 million. After paying the agreed sum in full, the buyer took the vehicle for a test drive. However, during the drive, he was pursued by individuals shouting “thief,” creating doubts about the legitimate ownership of the car.

The Kano State Police Command has since taken custody of the Toyota Corolla while investigations are still ongoing to establish the authenticity of the sale.

Commissioner of Police CP Bakori reassured residents of Kano that the Command remains firmly committed to safeguarding lives and property. He emphasized that all criminals will be pursued relentlessly and prosecuted according to the law.

He also appreciated the cooperation of community members and urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police division.

The statement concluded by reaffirming the Police Command’s pledge to foster a peaceful and secure environment for all residents of Kano State.