Police bust gun smuggling operation in Kano, seize 19 rifles

In a significant crackdown on crime, the Kano State Police Command has apprehended 157 individuals involved in various violent offenses, including armed robbery and street thuggery, over the past month.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Ibrahim Bakori, during a press briefing on Wednesday.

Highlighting his achievements since taking over as the state’s police chief, Bakori emphasized the effectiveness of coordinated and preventive policing strategies.

According to him, the command’s intensified operations and collaborative engagements have led to notable successes, including the dismantling of syndicates responsible for illegally trafficking firearms into the state.

“The dismantling of the criminal networks led to the recovery of 19 fabricated revolver rifles with 114 live cartridges and six expended cartridges, as well as recovery of suspected tramadol tablets worth N150 million.

“From 17th March 2025 to date, a total of 157 suspects involved in armed robbery, thuggery (Fadan Daba), theft, illicit drug dealings and other violent crimes were arrested with recovery from them of firearms, dangerous weapons, illicit drugs and stolen properties,” he said.

He also disclosed that among those apprehended during the period included 24 armed robbery suspects, 14 suspected drug dealers, seven suspected motor vehicle thieves, five suspected motorcycle thieves, 28 suspected thieves and 79 suspected thugs (Yan Daba)

He further stated that items recovered from the suspects included English pistols, 19 fabricated revolver rifles and one fabricated pistol.

Others are 117 live cartridges, six expended cartridges and 11 live ammunition, two motor vehicles, two tricycles, three motorcycles, six cartons of ampicillin tablets and 22 bottles of suck and die.

Also recovered from the suspects are 69 sachets and 260 pieces of exol tablets, 57 cutlasses, 71 sharp knives, 15 sharp irons, seven scissors, two axes and one bow among others.

He said the command plans to conduct a series of community-based engagements and intelligence-led operations at strategic locations in the State with a view to preventing crimes and maintaining law and order, ensuring peace continues to prevail in the state.