The Kano State police command has arrested a 27-year-old man over alleged burglary of four shops at City Centre Plaza, Farm Centre GSM Market, Kano.

The police also recovered 222 mobile phones, a laptop, a tablet, N350,000 cash and other items allegedly stolen from the shops.

The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abdullahi Kiyawa, made the disclosure in a statement on Wednesday in Kano.

Mr Kiyawa said the chief security officer of the plaza, Mohammed Rabo, reported the incident at the Farm Centre Police Division at about 7:15 a.m. on November 7.

He said the shops were discovered to have been burgled at about 4:00 a.m. on the same day.

According to him, the divisional police officer (DPO) immediately mobilised detectives to the scene in collaboration with the market security personnel.

“On reaching the market, the operatives sighted Abubakar, 27, of Gama ‘A’, Brigade Quarters, Kano, loitering inside the plaza with an iron saw and a screwdriver. He was arrested after he failed to give a satisfactory account of himself,” he said.

Mr Kiyawa said the suspect confessed during investigation to breaking into the four shops and stealing the items.

He listed the recovered items as one Lenovo laptop, one Samsung tablet, 95 keypad phones, 127 Android phones, a sound system and an inverter.

Others are 17 used Android screens, one solar controller, 29 power banks, 15 wireless ear pods, 130 assorted phone accessories and N350,000 cash.

The PPRO said the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, commended the officers of Farm Centre Division for their swift response and professionalism.

He said the commissioner attributed the success to prompt response to distress calls and effective collaboration with market security personnel and members of the public.

Mr Kiyawa said the CP reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing, community partnership and respect for human rights.

“This is in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Rilwan Disu,” Mr Kiyawa said.

He said the suspect would be charged to court upon completion of investigation.

The CP urged traders, shop owners and residents to continue providing credible information to the police to enhance security in the state. 

(NAN)