The Kano State Police Command has recorded two breakthroughs in separate operations, recovering suspected stolen solar inverters worth N59.2 million and arresting three suspects linked to the theft of fuel dispensing machines valued at N10.2 million.
The Command said the successes, achieved within 48 hours by operatives of the Sharada Police Division and the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), underscored its commitment to intelligence-led, proactive and community-centred policing.
Police spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed that detectives attached to the Sharada Police Division acted on credible intelligence on July 29, leading to the arrest of a 43-year-old suspect, Abdullahi Isah, who was allegedly advertising large quantities of solar inverters at suspiciously low prices.
According to the statement, a follow-up search at an incomplete building in Haye Quarters along the Western Bypass Road in Kano led to the recovery of 160 units of 6.5KW/48V solar inverters, estimated at N59.2 million.
The Command said the recovered items were reasonably suspected to have been stolen and appealed to members of the public who may have lost similar solar inverters to report to the Sharada Police Division or contact the Divisional Police Officer for identification and possible recovery.
Police added that investigations were ongoing to trace the source of the recovered items, identify possible accomplices, and prosecute the suspect upon completion of the investigation.
In a separate operation, the police arrested three suspects in connection with the theft of six fuel dispensing machines stolen from Jajire Filling Station in Aku Village, Gaya Local Government Area.
The incident occurred in the early hours of July 25 when armed robbers reportedly overpowered the station’s security guards, tied them up, locked them inside the security room and carted away six fuel dispensing machines valued at about N10.2 million.
Following a report to the police later that day, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad launched an investigation that culminated in the arrest of three suspects on July 29.
The suspects were identified as Bishir Abubakar, 60, of Gafai Ward, Katsina State; Shamsu Abdullahi, 30, of Kofar Kaura Ward, Katsina State; and Alhaji Shamsu Lawan, 56, of Filin Polo, Katsina State.
During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to purchasing the stolen fuel dispensing machines from one Usman Ibrahim of Kaduna State, who remains at large, for N5.2 million.
The police said efforts were underway to arrest the fleeing suspect and recover the stolen equipment, adding that the suspects would be charged to court after investigations.
Commending the officers involved, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, praised the professionalism of the Divisional Police Officer of Sharada Division and the Commander of the Special Intervention Squad for their swift response.
CP Bakori reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks and recover stolen property across Kano State, while appreciating community policing stakeholders whose timely information contributed to the successful operation.
He also urged residents to avoid purchasing goods offered at suspiciously low prices and to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
