The Kano State Police Command has busted a six-member syndicate involved in SIM card fraud and bank-related scams, marking a breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on cybercrime across the state.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the arrest followed a complaint lodged on 28 October 2025 by Nura Abdullahi of Kabuga Quarters, Kano, who reported the theft of his MTN (Subscriber Identity Module) SIM card and the subsequent fraudulent withdrawal of N5,750,000 from his bank account.
Following intensive investigations, police operatives uncovered a network of six suspects who conspired to defraud unsuspecting victims by obtaining their personal information, including Bank Verification Numbers (BVN) and National Identification Numbers (NIN), to open fake bank accounts, acquire (Automated Teller Machine) ATM cards, and carry out illegal financial transactions.
The arrested suspects were identified as Mubarak Saleh, 25, of Rimin Auzinawa Quarters; Babangida Lawan, 30, of Kabuga Quarters; Ahmad Shehu Adamu, 36, of Tudun Yola Quarters; Ezra Titus, 43, of Sabongari Quarters, Kano
Others are Abubakar Abdullahi Abdul, 37, of Giginyu Quarters; and Ahmad Abdullahi, 26, of Kabuga Quarters, Kano
During the operation, the police recovered six mobile phones and N1.7 million in cash from the suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, praised the investigating team for its professionalism and swift action in dismantling the cybercrime ring.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and refrain from disclosing sensitive personal details such as BVN and NIN to strangers or unverified platforms.
“The Command remains fully committed to protecting lives, property, and the financial security of all residents of Kano State,” the statement read.
The Police further assured that investigations are ongoing, and all suspects will be charged in court upon completion of the process.
