Police arrest 345 suspected thugs, drug peddlers, others in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 345 suspected thugs, drug peddlers and persons found with offensive weapons across the state.

The state Police Commissioner, Ibrahim Bakori, gave the figures while addressing a news conference on the security situation in the state on Monday.

He said the suspects were apprehended during a three-day coordinated clearance operation across the state’s 44 local government areas.

According to him, the targeted operations were aimed at dismantling criminal networks, intercepting weapons, and disrupting drug supply chains.

“I have convened this briefing to update the people of Kano State on the current security situation, to present the results of our recent statewide operation, and to reaffirm the command’s commitment to consolidating the gains we are recording.

“During the operations, a total of 345 suspects were taken into custody, including suspected thugs, drug peddlers, and persons found with offensive weapons. All the suspects are undergoing investigation and will be prosecuted where evidence warrants,” Bakori said.

He disclosed that no fewer than 270 dangerous weapons, including knives, cutlasses, clubs, and other implements used to perpetrate violence, were recovered from the hoodlums.

Similarly, he said, a substantial quantity of suspected illicit substances, including Cannabis Sativa, Exol tablets, and the lethal mixture known locally as “Suck and Die”, were also recovered from the suspects during the operations.

The CP noted that these seizures had directly reduced the capacity of criminal groups to harm law-abiding citizens and destabilize communities.

On operation kukan kura, the commissioner said the operation was still active statewide, as it has enhanced visibility policing, reduced response times to distress calls, and denied criminal elements space to regroup in flashpoints.

“The Violent Crime Response Unit, which was recently launched, has sharpened our tactical response to armed violence and gang activity. Its intelligence and rapid-deployment functions have improved our ability to act swiftly on actionable information,” he said.

He added that the command will maintain sustained pressure through raids, intelligence operations, and prosecution until criminality becomes untenable.