Police arrest notorious kidnapper, recover drone in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has arrested a suspected notorious kidnapper and cattle rustler, Habibu Bello.

The spokesperson for the command, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, September 21, 2026.

According to the PPRO, the suspect was arrested on September 14 following intelligence received by the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad.

Kiyawa said that the suspect was allegedly a member of a syndicate involved in kidnapping, armed robbery and cattle rustling across Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states.

The suspect allegedly confessed to participating in several kidnapping operations, including the abduction of Hajiya Binta of Kwanar Dangora, for which N20 million was allegedly paid as ransom.

The command said investigation was ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate. 

In a separate operation, police said they recovered a Cine-Camera Drone marked GT 50 at Hawan Tarau Village in Bebeji Local Government Area on September 17.

“The Kano State Police Command has recorded another major operational breakthrough in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on sustained interstate handshake patrols and clearance operations conducted along the Kano-Kaduna and Kano-Katsina borders,” the statement read.

“On 14th September, 2026 at about 1648hrs, based on credible intelligence, operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Command conducted a targeted operation and arrested one Habibu Bello ‘M’ aged 35 years of Kunkumi Town, Makarfi LGA, Kaduna State.

“The suspect is a notorious suspected kidnapper and alleged member of a syndicate specialized in armed robbery and cattle rustling operating across Kano, Katsina and Kaduna States.

“Investigation conducted led to the arrest of one Mudam ‘M’ of Kwanar Dangora as a member of the syndicate.

“The suspect also confessed to several previous kidnapping incidents, including:
a. Abduction of one Hajiya Binta ‘F’ of Kwanar Dangora, for which N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) was allegedly paid as ransom, kidnapping and collection of ransom of a household in Gwarzo LGA, Kano State among others, and also Involvement in cattle rustling activities across Kano, Kaduna and Katsina States.

“Investigation is ongoing and efforts are being intensified to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover their operational weapons. 

“Similarly, during clearance operations conducted within the Command, on 17th September, 2026 at about 1400hrs, Police  operatives recovered a Cine-Camera Drone marked GT 50 at Hawan Tarau Village, Bebeji LGA, Kano State.

“The drone was found lying on the ground in the area. Efforts are being intensified to trace the source and the owner.

“The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, sfipma, mnim, mnips, masis, commends the gallantry of the operatives and reiterates that the Command will sustain the aggressive clearance operations in collaboration with neighbouring Commands to deny criminal elements any safe haven.

“The CP further appreciates the good people of Kano State for their continued support and cooperation and urges them to report suspicious movements to the nearest Police Station or through the Command’s emergency numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926.”