Kano Police Recover ₦59.2m Stolen Solar Inverters, Arrest Four Over Fuel Pump Theft

The Kano State Police Command has recovered 160 suspected stolen solar inverters worth ₦59.2 millionand arrested four suspects in separate intelligence-led operations targeting theft and armed robbery.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, disclosed in a statement on Saturday that the recoveries were made within 48 hours by operatives of the Sharada Police Division and the Special Intervention Squad.

According to the statement, detectives acted on credible intelligence on July 29 after receiving reports that a 43-year-old suspect, Abdullahi Isah, was advertising large quantities of solar inverters at unusually low prices.

The suspect was arrested, and a subsequent search of an uncompleted building at Haye Quarters along the Western Bypass in Kano led to the recovery of 160 units of 6.5KW/48V solar inverters valued at ₦59.2 million.

Police said the recovered items are believed to have been stolen and urged anyone who owns or has lost similar solar inverters to report to the Sharada Police Division for identification and possible recovery.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the recovered items and identify other individuals connected to the case. The suspect is expected to be charged in court after investigations are concluded.

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In a separate operation, the command arrested three suspects in connection with the theft of six fuel dispensing machines worth about ₦10.2 million from Jajire Filling Station in Aku Village along Maiduguri Road in Gaya Local Government Area.

Police said armed robbers invaded the filling station in the early hours of July 25, overpowered and tied up the security guards before locking them inside the security room and escaping with the fuel dispensing machines.

Following a complaint, operatives of the Special Intervention Squad tracked down and arrested Bishir Abubakar (60), Shamsu Abdullahi (30), and Alhaji Shamsu Lawan (56), all from Katsina State.

During interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to buying the stolen fuel dispensing machines from one Usman Ibrahim of Kaduna State for ₦5.2 million.

The police said efforts are underway to arrest the fleeing suspect and recover the stolen machines. The three suspects will also be charged in court upon the completion of investigations.

Commending the officers involved, Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, described the successful operations as a reflection of the command’s commitment to intelligence-driven policing and the fight against criminal networks.

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He also praised community members for providing useful information that aided the operations and urged residents to avoid purchasing goods sold at suspiciously low prices.

Bakori appealed to the public to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains vital in combating crime across the state.