FEMALE-LED PHONE THEFT SYNDICATE BUSTED IN KANO STATE 02-01-25
By Sadiq Aminu The Kano State Police Command has dismantled a female-led syndicate involved in mobile phone theft, leading to the arrest of five suspects, including the group’s leader, Shamsiyya Adamu, a 19-year-old from Brigade Quarters, Kano.
SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the Police Public Relations Officer, disclosed this while parading the suspects at police headquarters Bompai kano.
He confirmed that Shamsiyya was arrested on December 21, 2024, following reports of stolen mobile phones in Unguwa Uku Quarters, In 2024, multiple complaints were lodged by residents of Kano Metropolis about a young woman allegedly stealing mobile phones from homes.
He noted that Investigations revealed that Shamsiyya, aided by a tricyclist and a cybercriminal, targeted housewives.
“The investigation into a series of mobile phone thefts led to Shamsiyya’s arrest. The syndicate was found to be involved not only in stealing phones but also in using stolen bank details to withdraw money from victims’ accounts,” said SP Kiyawa.
Kiyawa added that the syndicate’s method involved deceiving housewives to steal their phones, with the tricyclist transporting Shamsiyya to different locations. The cybercriminal utilized the stolen bank details to siphon funds from the victims’ accounts.
The arrested suspects include Shamsiyya Adamu, the 19-year-old leader; Idris Yusuf, a 23-year-old tricyclist; Al’asan Dahiru, a 24-year-old who disposed of stolen goods; Abdulmajid Haruna, a 27-year-old who bought the stolen phones; and Salim Auwalu, a 21-year-old who used cyber techniques to steal money. Six stolen mobile phones have been recovered from Abdulmajid.
Kiyawa added that so far, 30 complainants, including 29 women and one man, have reported their phones stolen. Shamsiyya has confessed to stealing phones in various incidents throughout 2024.