An alleged syndicate of thieves led by a young woman has been dismantled by the police in Kano, with the arrest of five suspects.
Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, a Superintendent of Police who is the Police Public Relations Officer in the State, stated in a press release today that the principal suspect, Shamsiyya Adamu, a 19-year-old woman resident in Brigade quarters, Kano, was arrested on December 21, 2024, following reports of stolen mobile phones in Unguwa Uku quarters of the city.
According to him, in the year 2024, the Kano State Police Command received numerous reports from residents of Kano metropolis about a young lady who used to steal mobile phones from residential houses.
He said: “The reports indicated that the suspect was using a tricyclist and a cyber criminal to aid in her operations.
“The State Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba, raised a special intervention squad, and the principal suspect was arrested on December 21, 2024.”
Commenting on the alleged syndicate’s modus operandi, the PPRO said, “The syndicate, led by Shamsiyya, specialised in stealing mobile phones from residential houses, using a tricyclist and a cyber criminal to aid in their operations. The suspects would deceive housewives, steal their mobile phones, and swindle money from their victims’ bank accounts.”
He listed the suspects as follows:
i. Shamsiyya Adamu: The 19-year-old principal suspect and leader of the syndicate.
ii. Idris Yusuf: A 23-year-old tricycle rider who aided in transporting the principal suspect to commit crimes.
iii. Alasan Dahiru: A 24-year-old suspect who specialised in disposing stolen items for the principal suspect.
iv. Abdulmajid Haruna: A 27-year-old suspect who specialised in buying stolen properties. Six mobile phones were recovered from him.
v. Salim Auwalu: A 21-year-old suspect who specialised in swindling money from victims’ bank accounts.
Kiyawa said six mobile phones have been recovered so far, and efforts are ongoing to recover more stolen phones.
He added: “Thirty complainants, including 29 females and 1 male, have lodged complaints against Shamsiyya, who confessed to stealing their mobile phones on various occasions in 2024.
“Anyone with a complaint against the suspects can contact the investigation team at 08032617800.”
