Kano: Notorious phone thief arrested again after serving 2-year jail

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano

A notorious phone thief identified as Mohammed Usman has been arrested by the operatives of Kano Police Command.

The 27-year-old suspect, according to Kano State Police Command has been exploiting innocent individuals to unlawfully obtain their mobile phones, under false pretenses.

Usman, of Kofar Wambai Quarters, Kano, was arrested on July 14, 2025, following a complaint from one female resident of Ahmadiyya Brigade Quarters, Kano.

The complainant reported that she received a phone call from an unknown number, offering her supposed government intervention assistance.

Trusting the caller, she accepted the offer and subsequently met with the suspect who deceitfully made away with her mobile phone.

As the investigation unfolded, 17 additional female victims emerged, all reporting similar experiences of deception and theft, showing a pattern of fraudulent activity that primarily targeted unsuspecting women.

According to the police command, the suspect was arrested for a similar offence two years ago and sentenced to two years in Correctional Custody, without an option of fine.

He is currently detained at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and a discreet investigation conducted led to the arrest of additional three suspected receivers.

Police also recovered eight mobile phones, as the suspects are helping in the investigation.

The State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, thanked members of the public for their cooperation and urged everyone to be wary of such offers, especially from an unknown source.

The Command encouraged anyone who may have fallen victim to similar schemes to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation or contact 08069215688.