The Kano State Police Command has recovered 160 suspected stolen solar inverters valued at N59.2 million in Kano, following intelligence from a community policing stakeholder. The operation, carried out by officers from the Sharada Police Division and the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), marked one of two major breakthroughs within 48 hours. The recovery was announced on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who emphasized the role of community cooperation in combating crime.
Detectives from the Sharada Police Division acted on credible information received on July 29, after reports surfaced that a man was selling large quantities of solar inverters at unusually low prices. This led to the arrest of 43-year-old Abdullahi Isah, who was later linked to an uncompleted building in Haye Quarters along the Western Bypass Road. Inside the building, police found 160 units of 6.5KW/48V solar inverters, all believed to have been stolen.
The command has urged anyone who owns or recently lost solar inverters matching the description to report to the Sharada Police Division for identification and possible recovery. “The items are reasonably suspected to have been stolen,” the statement confirmed. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origin of the inverters and identify any other individuals involved in the theft. The suspect will be charged to court once the investigation is complete.
In a separate incident, the police also arrested three suspects connected to the theft of six fuel dispensing machines worth N10.2 million from Jajire Filling Station in Aku Village, Gaya Local Government Area. The robbery occurred in the early hours of July 25, when armed men overpowered security guards, tied them up, locked them in the security room, and stole the machines.
Operatives from the Special Intervention Squad launched an investigation and apprehended the suspects on July 29. They were identified as Bishir Abubakar, 60, from Gafai Ward in Katsina State; Shamsu Abdullahi, 30, from Kofar Kaura Ward in Katsina State; and Alhaji Shamsu Lawan, 56, from Filin Polo in Katsina State. During interrogation, the suspects confessed to purchasing the stolen machines from Usman Ibrahim of Kaduna State for N5.2 million. Ibrahim remains at large, and police are actively pursuing his arrest.
Efforts to recover the stolen fuel dispensing machines continue, while the three arrested suspects will face charges after investigations conclude. These operations highlight the increasing collaboration between law enforcement and communities in tackling economic crimes across northern Nigeria. The success of these raids may serve as a deterrent to would-be criminals and reinforce public confidence in the police’s ability to protect property and maintain order.
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