The police command in Kano has intercepted suspected explosive materials and illicit drugs in two separate operations in different parts of the metropolitan council area.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, on Friday.

He explained that a team of experts from the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear conducted recognition and identification of the suspected materials.

One of the sacks was found to contain six rolls of detonating codes, while the other contained 20 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis and 220 sachets of suspected Exol tablets, adding that the investigation was in progress.

Mr Kiyawa said that in the  second operation, a team of police officers attached to the Anti-Thuggery Unit of the command, while on an intelligence-led surveillance patrol, intercepted a tricycle rider at Sani Mainagge Quarters, Gwale LGA, with three bags containing  suspected heavy materials.

He said a team of experts from the command’s EOD-CBRN conducted recognition and identification of the suspected materials, during which 3,700 electric detonators were discovered.

The commercial tricycle rider led to the arrest of a suspect, Ibrahim Garba, aka ‘Manyan Baki’, aged 49, of Zamfara, who confessed to facilitating the movement of the materials from Nasarawa en route to other places.

Mr Kiyawa said that already, the command had launched an intensive investigation into the matter.

Police commissioner Ibrahim Bakori commended the officers involved in the operations and urged the public to remain vigilant. He called on the public to continue to report any suspicious movements, items, or activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency numbers: 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926.

Mr Kiyawa added, “The public is advised not to touch any suspicious item seen, keep a distance, and immediately report it to the police.”

(NAN)