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Police Bust Car Theft Ring in Kano, Recover Four Stolen Vehicles

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 14th, 2026.

The Nigeria Police Force in Kano State has recovered four stolen vehicles and apprehended four suspects linked to a series of car theft incidents across northern Nigeria.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who said the arrests were the outcome of coordinated intelligence-driven operations carried out by the command’s Anti-Car Theft Unit.

According to reports cited by The Punch, the police operation was conducted in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Bakori, aimed at curbing rising cases of vehicle theft.

Kiyawa explained that one of the operations took place on March 7 when police operatives intercepted a dark blue Hyundai Elantra around the Naibawa Flyover area in Kano. Preliminary investigations revealed that the car had earlier been reported stolen in Abuja.

Two suspects identified as Ibrahim Muhd, 29, from Minna, and Ahmed Sani, 32, a resident of Abuja were arrested while allegedly driving the vehicle. Police sources said the suspects admitted to involvement in the theft during questioning.

Further investigations led to another arrest on March 9 when officers apprehended a suspect identified as Abdulkarim Mamman, 30, along the Kwanar Dawaki axis of the Kano–Zaria Expressway. He was reportedly found with a Honda Civic, which he allegedly stole from the Karkasara area of Kano.

In a related development, the command also arrested Yusuf Ali, 28, from Kaduna, in connection with the theft of a silver Toyota Corolla originally reported missing in Dutse.

Police further disclosed that a white Nissan Sunny, which had earlier been stolen from a parking area within Kano metropolis, was successfully recovered during the ongoing operation.

According to reports referenced by The Nation, the suspects are currently undergoing further interrogation as investigators work to determine whether they are connected to a wider vehicle theft network operating across the region.

Kiyawa noted that once investigations are concluded, the suspects will be formally charged in court.

The Kano State Police Command also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting law enforcement efforts by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent criminal activities.

Security analysts quoted by The Guardian say the latest operation reflects ongoing attempts by the police to dismantle organised car theft syndicates in northern Nigeria.