The police have announced the arrest of 51 suspected thugs and recovered dangerous weapons as well as illicit drugs in an intelligence-led clearance operation targeting criminal hideouts across the Kano metropolis.

The operation, which lasted three days from Friday to Sunday, covered areas in Kano Municipal, Dala, Gwale, and Tarauni Local Government Areas, including Kofar Mata, Zage, Kurna, Rijiyar Lemo, Dorayi, Hotoro, and Sheka quarters.

A police spokesman in Kano, Hussaini Abdullahi, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, stating that the operation was part of the ongoing efforts to rid the state of thuggery and related criminal activities.

“The command is fully determined to decisively tackle thuggery and its associated crimes. Fifty-one suspects were arrested, and dangerous weapons and illicit drugs were recovered,” Mr Abdullahi said.

Police commissioner Ibrahim Bakori, meanwhile, has warned against the use of weapons during traditional performances such as ‘Kidan Gangi’. He added that the brandishing of weapons on social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram, has also become a growing concern.

“Displaying dangerous weapons on social media platforms glamorises criminality and lures teenagers into gang-related activities. Anyone caught engaging in such will be arrested and prosecuted accordingly,” Mr Bakori said.

He further warned parents, guardians, and blacksmiths who were aiding or concealing the possession of weapons to desist from doing so, vowing that they would also be held accountable under the law.

Mr Bakori said, “The command urges the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour. Emergency hotlines for the command are 08032600299, 08032600300, and 08032600301.”

(NAN)