Kano police detain 25‑year‑old suspect linked to mobile‑phone robberies and thuggery in Rimin Kebe

The Kano State Police Command announced on Thursday, 5 November 2026, that it had arrested a 25‑year‑old man suspected of leading a thuggery operation in the city’s Rimin Kebe neighbourhood. Identified as Umar Usman and popularly known as ‘Ta’ambo’, the suspect was taken into custody at approximately 8:40 pm by surveillance operatives attached to the Zango Police Division, according to statements from the police public‑relations officer, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa.

Police said the arrest followed weeks of discreet monitoring and the receipt of credible intelligence from community members. Usman, a resident of Rimin Kebe, is alleged to have coordinated a series of mobile‑phone robberies, attacks on civilians and intimidation of security personnel across Rimin Kebe, the Ramin Research Area and the vicinity of Galula Hospital. The police command described the suspect as a notorious “Dandaba” who had been terrorising residents, snatching phones and other valuables, and causing injuries to law‑enforcement officers.

Background

The operation was the culmination of a series of complaints lodged by residents and community leaders who reported a pattern of thuggery and phone snatching in the affected districts. According to the police statement, Usman had been placed on the command’s wanted list after multiple intelligence reports linked him to the crimes. Surveillance teams from the Zango Police Division, supported by community‑based information, tracked his movements before executing the arrest.

Both the Punch and Daily Post reports note that the police command has been actively pursuing members of the alleged gang, with efforts ongoing to recover stolen property and weapons used in the offences. The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori (also referred to as CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori in one source), praised the Zango officers for their professionalism and urged the public to continue providing reliable information to aid law‑enforcement efforts.

Why it matters

The arrest is being hailed by local residents and community leaders as a major breakthrough in restoring public peace. The areas targeted by the alleged gang—Rimin Kebe, Ramin Research Area and the stretch around Galula Hospital—have reportedly experienced heightened fear and disruption to daily life due to the suspect’s activities. By removing a key figure believed to orchestrate phone snatching and attacks on security personnel, the police aim to curb a crime trend that undermines confidence in personal safety and hampers economic activity, particularly in markets where mobile devices are essential for transactions.

The police command emphasised that the suspect remains in custody undergoing a discreet investigation, and that further arrests of gang members are anticipated. Recovery of stolen items and firearms is also a priority, as outlined in the statements. The community’s response underscores the importance of collaborative policing; residents expressed hope that the arrest would deter further thuggery and encourage continued cooperation with law‑enforcement agencies.

What happens next

According to the police statements, the investigation into Usman’s alleged crimes is ongoing. Upon completion, he will be formally charged and presented before a court. Authorities have indicated that additional members of the suspected gang are still at large, and efforts to locate and apprehend them will continue. The police command also reiterated its broader commitment to tackling thuggery, phone snatching and attacks on security personnel throughout Kano State, urging citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities via the nearest police station or emergency lines.