The police command in Kano State has arrested a suspected notorious thug, Abubakar Isma’il, popularly known as Sankolo, days after the arrest of another suspected gang leader, Umar Usman, alias Ta’ambo.

Mr Isma’il, who hails from Rimin Kebbe Quarters, Kano, was arrested on Friday at about 9:30 p.m. by operatives of the Zango Police Division.

In a statement on Sunday, the command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the arrest followed intelligence gathering after the arrest of Mr Usman on Thursday.

He said the intelligence led police operatives to the second suspect, who was on the command’s wanted list over alleged involvement in thuggery and kidnapping.

“The suspect, a notorious thug, is on the Command’s wanted list as an arrowhead of thuggery-related activities in and around Rimin Kebbe Quarters, and a principal suspect in a case of kidnapping, where his accomplices have already been charged to court and trial is ongoing,” he said.

Mr Kiyawa said the suspect was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a nine-year-old boy, Ubaidu Sammani, son of Alhaji Sammani of Rimin Kebbe, on July 3, 2026.

According to him, preliminary investigations showed that the suspect confessed to involvement in several thuggery activities and mobile phone robberies in Rimin Kebbe and neighbouring communities.

He said the suspect allegedly coordinated attacks, intimidated residents and participated in the snatching of mobile phones and other valuables.

Mr Kiyawa said the suspect remained in police custody and was undergoing discreet investigation.

He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the gang and recover stolen items and weapons allegedly used in the crimes.

The police spokesperson said the suspect would be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.