The Kano State Police Command says it has made progress in tackling car theft after two separate incidents were handled in recent weeks.
Police spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa said the breakthrough followed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to maintain round-the-clock patrols and intelligence-led operations across the state.
The statement said on August 28, 2025, around 1:25 pm, a woman from Sharada Quarters reported that she gave her Mercedes-Benz (Reg. No. BWR-442 Abuja) to 42-year-old Abubakar Yakubu for air conditioner repairs. Instead of fixing the car, the suspect disappeared with it.
According to Kiyawa, “the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, immediately deployed Tactical Teams that went after the case and apprehended the suspect and recovered the vehicle.”
Investigations showed that the suspect fled to Kaduna State, where he sold the Mercedes-Benz and swapped it for a Toyota Corolla, paying an extra N7 million to complete the deal. The suspect has been arrested, and the Toyota Corolla recovered, while efforts are ongoing to trace the stolen Mercedes-Benz.
In another case on August 25, 2025, a 48-year-old man from Mariri Quarters, Kano, reported that Ibrahim Garba from Kaduna approached him to sell a Toyota Corolla for N2.2 million.
After paying in full, the buyer took the car for a test drive. But during the test drive, he was chased away by people shouting “thief,” raising suspicions about the car’s real ownership.
The police have since impounded the vehicle while investigations continue.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Bakori, assured residents that the Command is determined to “protect lives and property and will continue to bring perpetrators of crime to justice.”
He thanked the public for their support and urged everyone to stay alert and report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.
“The Kano State Police Command reiterates its dedication to fostering a safer and more secure environment for all,” the statement added.