Police arrest wanted thug ‘Sankolo’ after capture of accomplice

The Police Command in Kano State has arrested another notorious wanted thug, popularly known as “Sankolo”, who is a principal suspect in the kidnapping of a nine-year-old boy, Ubaidu Sammani.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abdullahi Haruna-Kiyawa, on Sunday in Kano.

“Following the arrest of ‘Ta’ambo’ on Nov. 5, discreet investigation and actionable intelligence obtained led to the arrest of the second suspect.

“On Nov. 6, at about 9:31 a.m., teams of operatives from Zango Police Division, acting on intelligence under ‘Operation Kukan Kura’, proceeded to Rimin Kebbe and arrested Abubakar Isma’il, 22, of Rimin Kebbe Quarters, Kano, popularly known as ‘Sankolo’,” he said.

He described the suspect as a notorious thug who had been on the Command’s wanted list.

According to him, the suspect had been a leading figure in thuggery-related activities in and around Rimin Kebbe Quarters, Nasarawa Local Government Area.

“He is a principal suspect in a kidnapping case in which his accomplices have already been charged to court, and the trial is ongoing,” he said.

He noted that Sankolo was strongly suspected of kidnapping Ubaidu Sammani, the nine-year-old son of Alhaji Sammani of Rimin Kebbe, on July 3, 2026.

“During preliminary investigation, the suspect confessed to a series of thuggery activities and mobile phone robberies in Rimin Kebbe and neighbouring areas, where he coordinated attacks, snatching of mobile phones and other valuables,” he said.

Haruna-Kiyawa said residents and community leaders in the affected areas had described the arrest as another major breakthrough.

The suspect, he added, was currently in police custody and undergoing discreet investigation.

He said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang, recover stolen items and weapons used in the commission of the crimes, and establish the suspect’s involvement in other reported cases.

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu-Bakori, commended the officers for their professionalism, vigilance and timely action, which led to the arrest.

He also appreciated members of the public for their continued cooperation and provision of credible information to the police.

( NAN)