The Kano State Police Command has arrested Mohammed Usman, a 27-year-old man and ex-convict, for allegedly deceiving and stealing mobile phones from unsuspecting women across various parts of the state by posing as an agent of a government intervention program.
Usman was apprehended on July 14, 2025, following a complaint from a woman residing in Ahmadiyya Brigade Quarters. According to the report, the suspect approached her under the false pretense of assisting with a federal aid initiative and tricked her into handing over her phone, claiming it was needed to process her application.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, disclosed that Mohammed Usman is not new to such offenses. He had been previously convicted in 2023 for a similar fraud and served a two-year prison term before being released earlier this year.
Following his arrest, further investigations led to a wave of revelations. At least 17 other women came forward with matching testimonies, detailing how they were similarly deceived by a man fitting Usman’s description who exploited the promise of government relief to gain their trust and steal their mobile devices.
The Kano Police Command intensified its operations and successfully arrested three additional individuals believed to be part of Usman’s criminal network. These suspects are thought to have received or resold the stolen phones. During interrogation, they reportedly cooperated with investigators, providing critical information that has helped piece together the suspect's operations.
Authorities were also able to recover eight mobile phones, believed to have been stolen from victims across different parts of Kano. The devices are being examined for evidence and will be returned to their rightful owners as investigations continue.
The Commissioner of Police for Kano State, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD, commended residents for their timely reports and active cooperation with law enforcement agencies. He also used the opportunity to caution the public against engaging with unknown individuals claiming to represent government programs or aid initiatives via phone or in person.
“Scammers often take advantage of people's trust in government programs. We urge the public to remain vigilant, verify identities, and report any suspicious encounters immediately,” Bakori stated.
He further urged anyone who may have had similar experiences or information related to this case to step forward and contact the nearest police division to aid ongoing investigations and ensure justice is served.
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