The Kano State Police Command has dismantled a female-led phone theft syndicate, arresting five suspects linked to a series of mobile phone theft and fraudulent activities in the State.
The syndicate, led by 19-year-old Shamsiyya Adamu, was uncovered following months of public complaints about rampant mobile phone thefts in Kano metropolis.
According to a statement by the Police spokesperson in the State, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, Shamsiyya, a resident of Brigade Quarters in Kano, employed a tricyclist and a cybercriminal to aid her operations. Together, they targeted residential houses, deceiving housewives and stealing their mobile phones before withdrawing money from their bank accounts.
Her arrest on December 21, 2024, marked the culmination of an investigation led by a special intervention squad set up by the Commissioner of Police, CP Salman Dogo Garba.
Four other suspects were also arrested in connection with the crimes. They included Idris Yusuf, 23, a tricyclist who transported Shamsiyya to the crime scenes; Al’asan Dahiru, 24, who specialised in disposing off the stolen items; Abdulmajid Haruna, 27, a buyer of stolen goods, from whom six mobile phones were recovered, and Salim Auwalu, 21, who specialised in withdrawing money from victims’ bank accounts.
The police disclosed that 30 complaints had been lodged against Shamsiyya by victims, 29 of whom were women. She has reportedly confessed to the crimes. So far, six mobile phones have been recovered, and efforts were ongoing to trace more stolen items.
The Kano State Police Command has urged more victims to come forward and report their cases by contacting the investigation team through a phone number: 08032617800.
The Police spokesperson commended the intervention squad for their swift action and reassured residents of the Police Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
