Police foil attempt to traffic explosive materials in Kano, arrest suspect

The Kano State Police Command has foiled suspected explosive and drug trafficking attempts in two separate intelligence-led operations, leading to the arrest of a suspect and the recovery of detonating materials and illicit drugs.
The disclosure was contained in a press release issued on Thursday, January 15, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.

According to the release, the operations were carried out in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on improved intelligence gathering and intelligence-led policing.

In the first operation, conducted on January 13, 2026, police officers attached to Rijiyar Lemo Police Division executed a search warrant at a residence in Tudun Bojuwa Quarters, Fagge Local Government Area. Two large sacks containing suspected incriminating materials were recovered during the search.

Police said experts from the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit examined the items and discovered “six rolls of detonating cords in one sack, while the other contained 20 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa and 220 sachets of suspected Exol tablets.”

In the second operation, officers of the Anti-Daba Unit, while on intelligence-led surveillance patrol at Sani Mainagge Quarters in Gwale Local Government Area, intercepted a commercial tricycle conveying three bags of suspected heavy materials.

The police said EOD-CBRN experts later identified the items as “3,700 pieces of electric detonators.” The tricycle rider reportedly led operatives to the arrest of a suspect, Ibrahim Garba, also known as “Manyan Baki,” aged 49, from Zamfara State.

According to the release, the suspect “confessed to facilitating the movement of the materials from Nasarawa State en route to other places.”

Commending the officers involved, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori praised their professionalism and urged members of the public to remain vigilant.

He called on residents to “continue to report any suspicious movement, items or activities to the nearest police station,” warning the public not to touch suspicious objects but to keep a safe distance and alert the police immediately.

Investigations into both incidents are ongoing.