Kano police nab wanted thug, ‘Sankolo’, over kidnapping, phone snatching

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious thug, Abubakar Isma’il, popularly known as ‘Sankolo’, over his alleged involvement in kidnapping, phone snatching and other criminal activities in Rimin Kebe and neighbouring communities.

The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to the statement, the 22-year-old suspect was arrested on November 6 at about 9:30 pm by operatives of Zango Police Division during an operation in Rimin Kebe, following intelligence gathered after the arrest of another suspected thug, Umar Usman, known as ‘Ta’ambo.’

“The suspect was wanted by the Command for his alleged role in thuggery activities in Rimin Kebe and its environs. He was also a principal suspect in the kidnapping of nine-year-old Ubaidu Sammani, son of Alhaji Sammani, who was abducted on July 3, 2026,” the police said.

According to the police, some of his alleged accomplices had already been charged in court, with their trial ongoing.

“The arrest followed discreet investigations and actionable intelligence obtained after the earlier arrest of ‘Ta’ambo’ on November 5,” he said.

Kiyawa said preliminary investigations showed that the suspect was involved in several cases of thuggery and mobile phone robbery in Rimin Kebe and surrounding areas.

He added that the suspect had confessed to coordinating attacks, intimidating residents and snatching mobile phones and other valuables.

The police spokesperson said residents and community leaders had welcomed the arrest.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of Zango Division for their professionalism and timely action.

The police said the suspect remained in custody while investigations continued.

The statement added that efforts were underway to arrest other members of his gang and recover stolen property and weapons allegedly used in the crimes.

The Command said he would be charged in court after a conclusive investigation had been conducted.

It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through its emergency numbers.