The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old suspected notorious thug, Abubakar Isma’il, popularly known as Sankolo, over alleged kidnapping, phone snatching and other criminal activities in Rimin Kebe and neighbouring communities.
The police spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement, Sankolo was arrested on November 6 at about 9:30 pm by operatives of the Zango Police Division during an operation in Rimin Kebe.
His arrest followed intelligence gathered after the police apprehended another suspected thug, Umar Usman, popularly known as Ta’ambo, on November 5.
The police said Sankolo was wanted over his alleged involvement in thuggery and other criminal activities in Rimin Kebe and surrounding areas.
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He was also identified as a principal suspect in the kidnapping of nine-year-old Ubaidu Sammani, the son of Alhaji Sammani, who was abducted on July 3, 2026.
The Command disclosed that some alleged accomplices had already been charged to court, with their trial ongoing.
Preliminary investigations reportedly linked Sankolo to several cases of thuggery and mobile phone robbery in the affected communities.
The police further alleged that the suspect confessed to coordinating attacks, threatening residents and stealing mobile phones and other valuables.
The arrest was reportedly welcomed by residents and community leaders in the area.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended officers of the Zango Division for their professionalism and swift response.
The police said the suspect remained in custody as investigations continued, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and recover stolen property and weapons allegedly used in the crimes.
The Command added that Sankolo would be charged to court after the investigation had been concluded.
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