The Kano State Police Command says it arrested no fewer than 3,081 suspects for various crimes and recovered a large cache of arms, illicit drugs and stolen property across the state in 2025.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this on Tuesday during an end-of-year press briefing held at the Command Headquarters, Bompai, Kano.
Bakori said the arrests were made between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025, across 78 police divisions, 11 area commands and seven tactical units in the state.
According to him, the suspects were arrested for offences ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, drug trafficking, fraud, vehicle theft and thuggery, among others.
He explained that 146 armed robbery suspects, 50 kidnapping suspects, 112 suspected drug dealers, 85 suspected motor vehicle thieves, 45 tricycle thieves and 83 motorcycle thieves were apprehended during the period.
Others, he said, included 154 suspected thieves, 56 suspected fraudsters and 2,350 suspected thugs (Yan-Daba).
The police boss added that 14 kidnapping victims were rescued unhurt by operatives of the command during various operations.
Bakori said the command also recovered nine AK-47 rifles, 13 English pistols, eight revolver pistols, three pump-action rifles, 37 locally made revolver rifles and 26 fabricated firearms.
He listed other recovered items to include 198 rounds of live ammunition, 28 live cartridges, 298 cutlasses, 625 knives, 81 axes, 97 swords, 88 clubs and 183 sharp irons.
The commissioner further disclosed that 94 stolen vehicles, 52 tricycles, 99 motorcycles, 15 cattle, 145 mobile phones, 20 POS machines, 37 ATM cards and 67 SIM cards were recovered.
On drug enforcement, Bakori said the command seized large quantities of suspected cannabis sativa, tramadol, pregabalin, diazepam, codeine cough syrup and other illicit substances.
He attributed the achievements to enhanced community policing, intelligence-led operations, joint border patrols with other security agencies, capacity building for officers and the successful implementation of “Operation Kukan Kura”.
Bakori recalled that on assumption of duty on March 17, 2025, security assessments revealed challenges such as thuggery, mobile phone robbery, drug abuse, farmer-herder clashes and threats of bandit infiltration through border local government areas.
He said these challenges were tackled through crime mapping, community engagement and sustained public sensitisation.
The commissioner assured residents that the command would sustain and improve its strategies in 2026, with increased patrols, improved intelligence gathering, strengthened border security and expanded public enlightenment.
Bakori commended the Kano State Government, traditional and religious leaders, sister security agencies, community stakeholders and the media for their support and cooperation.
He also praised officers and men of the command for their dedication and sacrifices, saying Kano was witnessing improved peace and security needed for economic and political stability.
The police boss wished residents a peaceful and prosperous New Year ahead.