A sales boy, Mujjitafa Sale and three others are cooling their heels at the Bompai police headquarters in Kano for stealing 890 mobile phones.
Their arrest was revealed through a statement by the Kano Police Command spokesman, Superintendent of Police (SP) Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Usaini Gumel.
He said on September 18, a report was received from a mobile phone marketer at Beirut Road GSM Market, Kano, that different types of mobile phones and other accessories were stolen from his shop.
He added that he strongly suspected his sales boy, one Mujittafa Sale, 19, of Dukawuya Quarters as the culprit behind the theft.
On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, detailed a team of detectives and directed them to conduct a thorough investigation.
During the investigation, the said Mujjitafa Sale was arrested and he instantly confessed to having conspired with one Ahmed Abbati, 23, of Dukawuya Quarters, Kano, to steal the phones.
Further investigation led to the arrest of persons who helped Mujjitafa to hide the stolen mobile phones and other accessories.
Those arrested are: Musa Muhammad Shafi’u, 25 years old;, Nusairu Nasiru, 22 years old, and Usman Muhammad, 25 years old, all of Dukawuya Quarters, Kano.
Consequent upon in-depth investigation, a total of 890 mobile phones were recovered from them.
The suspects will be charged to court at the completion of investigation.
The statement further said that the Police Command is following up on a public outcry received from the coordinators of Dansulaika GSM Market, Farm Center, Kano, that on September 24, at about 8 pm, unknown persons broke into 11 shops through the roof ceilings and stole some mobile phones, desktop and laptop computers, some sales money, ATM cards and other accessories.
A sustained intelligence-led operation was launched that led to the arrest of one Ibrahim Adamu of Sallari Quarters, Tarauni Local Government Area, Kano.
The suspect confessed to the police that he single-handedly committed the crime, and led them to the recovery of the 106 mobile phones, nine laptop computers, sales proceeds in the sum of N115,940:00, nine ATM cards, and other accessories. The suspect will be charged to court at completion of the ongoing investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, while appreciating residents of the State for their understanding, support and cooperation, also advised shop owners to be mindful of the persons they entrust their business with, and further reiterated that the Police Command will continue to be committed to safeguarding life and property of all residents in the State.
CP Gumel also urged everyone to keep reporting any suspicious movement, person(s) or item(s) they come across to the nearest Police Station.