Kano police arrest 25-year-old 'Ta'ambo' over alleged thuggery, phone robberies

The Kano State Police Command says it has arrested a 25-year-old man, Umar Usman, popularly called Ta'ambo, on suspicion of involvement in thuggery and mobile phone robberies in Rimin Kebe and neighbouring communities. The allegations have not been tested in court.

The command's spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, announced the arrest in a statement on Thursday, November 5, 2026. According to the police, surveillance operatives from Zango Police Division detained the suspect at about 8:40pm the same day, after credible intelligence and weeks of monitoring.

What police accuse him of

Police say Usman lives in Rimin Kebe and allegedly coordinated thuggery and phone snatching in that area, in Ramin Research Area and around Galula Hospital. They allege he attacked and intimidated residents, took phones and other valuables, and hurt security personnel.

Punch reported that the statement described him as a notorious 'Dandaba', a label used for street thugs in Kano, and said he had been terrorising residents. The command said he had been declared wanted after several complaints and intelligence reports, and that information from the community helped the operation.

Kiyawa said, in the words Punch quoted: "The suspect was arrested at about 8.40pm on Thursday by surveillance operatives attached to Zango Police Division following weeks of discreet monitoring and intelligence gathering."

Investigation and next steps

The statement says the suspect is in custody and under investigation. Police are trying to arrest other alleged gang members, recover stolen items and weapons, and check whether he is linked to other reported cases. It said: "Upon completion of investigation, he will be charged to court."

According to the police, residents and community leaders in the affected areas called the arrest a major breakthrough and hope it will end thuggery there. That reaction comes from the police statement and was not independently verified.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori praised the Zango officers for their professionalism and timely action, and thanked members of the public for useful information. The command renewed its pledge to tackle thuggery, phone snatching, attacks on security personnel and other violent crime across Kano State, and asked residents to stay vigilant and report suspicious people or activities to the nearest police station or its emergency lines.