Kano Police Recover ₦59.2m Worth of Suspected Stolen Solar Inverters, Arrest Four
The Kano State Police Command has recovered 160 suspected stolen solar inverters valued at ₦59.2 million and arrested four suspects in separate intelligence-led operations targeting theft and armed robbery.
Police said the breakthroughs were recorded within 48 hours by operatives of the Sharada Police Division and the Special Intervention Squad, highlighting ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the state.
According to the police, detectives acted on credible intelligence on July 29 after receiving reports that Abdullahi Isah, 43, was advertising a large quantity of solar inverters at unusually low prices. His arrest led officers to an uncompleted building in Haye Quarters, along the Western Bypass in Kano, where they recovered 160 units of 6.5KW/48V solar inverters believed to have been stolen. Investigators are working to trace the rightful owners and determine the source of the recovered items.
In a separate operation, police arrested Bishir Abubakar, 60; Shamsu Abdullahi, 30; and Alhaji Shamsu Lawan, 56, all from Katsina State, over the alleged theft of six fuel dispensing machines valued at about ₦10.2 million. The machines were reportedly stolen during an armed robbery at Jajire Filling Station in Aku Village, along Maiduguri Road in Gaya Local Government Area, where the attackers allegedly overpowered security guards before carting away the equipment. During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to purchasing the machines from Usman Ibrahimof Kaduna State for ₦5.2 million. Police said efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover the stolen machines.
Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori commended officers involved in the operations, describing the recoveries as evidence of the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing. He reiterated that the police would continue to target criminal syndicates involved in theft, robbery and the sale of stolen property, while urging residents to avoid buying goods offered at suspiciously cheap prices. The commissioner also encouraged members of the public to provide timely and credible information that could aid crime prevention and investigations.
The command confirmed that investigations into both cases are continuing and that all suspects will be charged in court upon completion of the process. It also appealed to anyone who has lost solar inverters matching the recovered items to report to the Sharada Police Division for identification and possible recovery, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Kano State.
