The Police in Kano have apprehended two suspects who specialise in stealing mobile phones with dangerous weapons from passengers, disguising themselves as tricycle riders.

This is contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, and issued to newsmen on Tuesday.

He said the duo, Mohammed Jidda (20) and Adamu Sulaiman (22), all of Brigade Quarters, Kano, were currently being detained at the Bompai Police headquarters for forcefully snatching phones of Kano residents while posing as commercial tricycle riders.

Haruna explained that the suspected criminals were arrested by a team of Operation Puff Adder despatched by the Commissioner of Police, Sama’ila Dikko.

According to him, three stolen mobile phones were recovered from them.

“The suspects were nabbed after reports were received that, a syndicate of thieves, disguised as tricycle operators, snatched mobile phones of unsuspecting passengers at State Road, Tukur Road, and Zaria Road Kano, using a tricycle with KAROTA Number KBY 0126.

“On receipt of the reports, the CP, Sama’ila Shu’aibu Dikko, raised and instructed a team of Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Bashir Musa Gwadabe, to trace and arrest the culprits.

“The team immediately swung into action. Sustained efforts and intelligence-led follow-up led to the arrest of Mohammed Jidda, ‘m’, 20 years old, and Adamu Sulaiman, ‘m’, 22 years old, all of Brigade Quarters Kano. Suspects were arrested on 25/06/2022 at State Road Kano with the said tricycle in possession of three suspected stolen mobile phones.

He said following investigation, the suspects confessed that they are thieves and they specialised in using a tricycle to snatch the mobile phones of their unsuspecting passengers.

“They all confessed to taking intoxicants and have been operating along Tukur Road, State Road, Zaria Road, and other places within Kano Metropolis for over one year. The mobile phones in their possession were also stolen from passengers.

”Owners of the mobile phones were traced. One of the suspects, Mohammed Jidda, further confessed that he was arrested sometimes back for the same offence, charged to court, and sentenced to six months in the correctional centre with an option of a fine. He spent three months, later the fine was paid and he was released.

According to Haruna, the commissioner ordered a discreet investigation, after which suspects will be charged to court for prosecution.