In a renewed effort to stamp out violent street crime and thuggery, the Kano State Police Command has arrested 15 suspects, including a notorious armed robbery kingpin during a sweeping tactical operation across several communities in the state capital.
The arrests were carried out on July 26, 2025, as part of “Operation Kukan Kura”, a targeted anti-crime initiative launched by the Command to combat escalating incidents of street violence, phone snatching, and organized robbery in key urban areas.
According to a statement released by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the operation involved coordinated raids in the Sheka, Ja’oji, and Kurna quarters of Kano metropolis. Police tactical teams moved in based on intelligence gathered over several weeks, leading to the successful apprehension of the suspects, whose ages range from 14 to 28 years.
Among those arrested is Mu’azu Barga, 28, who police described as a serial armed robbery suspect and gang leader. Barga is alleged to have orchestrated multiple violent robberies and turf wars between rival groups in recent months, leaving communities in fear and sparking demands for stronger law enforcement response.
The suspects were found in possession of four stolen mobile phones, which authorities have linked to recent robbery and theft cases reported in the city. Preliminary investigations and confessional statements from the suspects indicate direct involvement in a string of criminal activities, including street-level robbery, phone snatching, and gang violence.
“The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation,” SP Kiyawa said, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the gang and recover additional stolen items.
The latest sweep is part of the Kano Police Command’s intensified operations to dismantle criminal networks operating within the city and restore confidence among residents. The crackdown aligns with strategic policing directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, who has emphasized community-based policing and proactive crime prevention across the country.
Speaking on the operation, Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance toward crime and promised sustained efforts to ensure lasting peace and security.
“We are declaring total war on thuggery and all forms of criminality in Kano. The people of this state deserve to live and work in peace, and we will not relent until that goal is achieved,” CP Bakori stated.
The Commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, reaffirming the police’s commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and eliminating threats to public safety.
The news of the arrests has been met with cautious optimism among residents of affected neighborhoods, many of whom have expressed relief over the swift police action. Community leaders in Ja’oji and Sheka quarters commended the operation and called for sustained engagement between law enforcement and local vigilante groups to prevent criminal resurgence.
Operation Kukan Kura is expected to continue in the coming weeks, with additional deployments and intelligence-driven raids planned for other identified crime hotspots across the state.
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