Police in Kano have arrested two suspects specializing in stealing mobile phones with dangerous weapons from passengers while disguising as tricycle riders.
Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Haruna said the suspects, Mohammed Jidda (20) and Adamu Sulaiman (22), all of Brigade Quarters, Kano, were currently being held at the Bompai Police headquarters for snatching phones from Kano residents while posing as commercial tricycle riders.
The police spokesperson said that the suspected criminals were arrested by a team of Operation Puff Adder despatched by the Commissioner of Police, Sama’ila Dikko.
Three stolen mobile phones were recovered from the suspects, the police said.
According to the statement, “The suspects were nabbed after reports were received that a syndicate of thieves, disguised as tricycle operators, snatched mobile phones of unsuspecting passengers at State Road, Tukur Road, and Zaria Road Kano, using a tricycle with KAROTA Number KBY 0126.
“On receipt of the reports, the CP, Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, raised and instructed a team of Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Bashir Musa Gwadabe, to trace and arrest the culprits.
“The team immediately swung into action. Sustained efforts and intelligence-led follow-up led to the arrest of Mohammed Jidda, ‘m’, 20 years old, and Adamu Sulaiman, ‘m’, 22 years old, all of Brigade Quarters Kano. Suspects were arrested on 25/06/2022 at State Road Kano with the said tricycle in possession of three suspected stolen mobile phones.”
The PPRO said following investigation, the suspects confessed to committing the crime.
The statement added, “They all confessed to taking intoxicants and have been operating along Tukur Road, State Road, Zaria Road, and other places within Kano Metropolis for over one year. The mobile phones in their possession were also stolen from passengers.
”Owners of the mobile phones were traced. One of the suspects, Mohammed Jidda, further confessed that he was arrested sometimes back for the same offence, charged to court, and sentenced to six months in the correctional centre with an option of a fine. He spent three months, later the fine was paid and he was released.”
Haruna said the police commissioner had ordered a discreet investigation, after which suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.
Meanwhile, the police have called on residents to contact the command on the following phone numbers in case of emergencies, 08032419754, 08123821575, 08076091271 or log into the “NPF Rescue Me” mobile application available on the Play Store.”