‘Kidnappers, human traffickers’ — Kano police ‘arrest 3,000 suspects’ in one year

Usaini Gumel, commissioner of police in Kano, says operatives arrested about 3,000 suspects for various crimes across the state in the last one year.

Speaking during a media briefing on Thursday, Gumel said the arrests are part of his achievements to mark one year in office.

He said the suspects were arrested for kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, human trafficking, illicit drug dealing and thuggery.

He said the operatives also apprehended about 623 thugs who have now been engaged in state government sponsored empowerment programmes.

He said the command apprehended some suspected criminals using the Dala hill, a historic tourist centre, as a hideout.

“Thus far, the intervention of the police command has made the historic site safe and secure for all residents of the area, visitors, and the people of Kano state,” NAN quoted Gumel as saying.

He said the command, with support from the inspector-general of police, launched the School Protection Squad (SPS) to provide adequate security at learning environments.

“The SPS, comprised of 60 personnel, was provided with the tools for the task and dispatched to intensify and establish robust patrols around all primary and secondary schools, and tertiary institutions across each senatorial district,” he said.

“I must confess that it has been a privileged opportunity given to me by the inspector-general of police, through which I am serving the community with enormous cooperation from the good people of the state.

“As the 45th commissioner of police in the command, communities in the state have had their fair share of security challenges.

“Other heinous crimes include kidnapping, the threat of infiltration of bandits along border LGAs, especially Falgore and Danshoshiya forests.

“There was also buying and selling of minors, motor vehicle theft, cross-border organised crimes, and illicit drug dealings, among others.

“Through collective efforts, we succeeded in fighting and bringing down the wave of crime and criminality in the state.”

The commissioner said 337 armed robbery suspects, 66 kidnappers, 90 drug dealers, 83 vehicle thieves, 62 tricycle and 86 motorcycle thieves, 200 suspected petty thieves, 61 fraudsters, 9 illegal forex hawkers, and 2,101 suspected thugs were among those nabbed.

He added that operatives rescued 29 kidnap and 65 trafficking victims during the past year.

Items recovered include 6 AK-47 rifles, one SMG rifle, three beretta pistols, one anti-riot gun, eight double-barrel guns, two makarov pistols, five English pistols and 54 locally made guns.

Other items are 44 Dane guns, 14 toy guns, 83 live ammunition and 30 cartridges, 215 vehicles, 84 tricycles, 116 motorcycles, 3,079 mobile phones, and 990 cartons of fake and expired drugs.