RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of belonging to a criminal syndicate involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling.
The command also recovered a cine-camera drone during separate clearance operations in parts of the state.
The suspect, identified as Habibu Bello from Kunkumi Town in Makarfi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested on September 14 following intelligence received by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday.
According to the statement, Bello was arrested at about 4:48pm during a targeted operation along the Kano-Kaduna and Kano-Katsina border areas.
The police alleged that the suspect was a member of a syndicate operating across Kano, Katsina and Kaduna states.
Further investigation following his arrest reportedly led to the apprehension of another suspected member of the group, identified as Mudam of Kwanar Dangora.
The police said Bello confessed to involvement in several kidnapping incidents, including the abduction of a woman identified as Hajiya Binta of Kwanar Dangora.
According to the command, N20m was allegedly paid as ransom for her release.
The suspect was also alleged to have participated in the kidnapping of a household in Gwarzo Local Government Area of Kano State, as well as cattle-rustling operations across the three states.
The command said investigation into the case was ongoing, with operatives working to apprehend other members of the alleged syndicate and recover weapons believed to be in their possession.
In a separate operation, police operatives recovered a cine-camera drone marked GT 50 at Hawan Tarau Village in Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State.
The command said the drone was recovered on September 17 at about 2pm during clearance operations in the area.
According to the police, the device was found lying on the ground and was subsequently recovered by the operatives.
“Efforts are being intensified to trace the source and the owner of the drone,” the statement said.
The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Bakori, commended the operatives involved in the operations and assured residents that the command would continue its efforts to tackle criminal activities.
“The Command will sustain the aggressive clearance operations in collaboration with neighbouring Commands to deny criminal elements a haven,” Bakori said.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency communication channels.
The commissioner thanked residents for their cooperation and support, stressing the importance of community participation in the fight against crime.
