The Kano State Police Command has arrested an ex-convict, Mohammed Usman, for allegedly deceiving and stealing mobile phones from women across the state under the guise of offering government assistance.
Usman was apprehended on July 14, 2025, after a woman reported that he tricked her into handing over her phone by pretending to offer help through a fake government intervention scheme.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, July 19, 2025 said the suspect was arrested for a similar offence two years ago and sentenced to two years imprisonment.
According to the PPRO, at least 17 more women have come forward with similar complaints.
“The Kano State Police Command has arrested a serial deceiver who has been exploiting innocent individuals to unlawfully obtain their mobile phones, under false pretenses,” the statement read.
“The 27-year-old male suspect, identified as Mohammed Usman, of Kofar Wambai Quarters, Kano, was arrested on 14th July, 2025, following a complaint from one female resident of Ahmadiyya Brigade Quarters, Kano.
“The complainant reported that she received a phone call from an unknown number, offering her supposed government intervention assistance. Trusting the caller, she accepted the offer and subsequently met with the suspect who deceitfully made away with her mobile phone.
“As the investigation unfolded, seventeen (17) additional female victims emerged, all reporting similar experiences of deception and theft, showing a pattern of fraudulent activity that primarily targeted unsuspecting women.
“The suspect, an ex-convict, was arrested for a similar offence two years ago and sentenced to two years in correctional custody without an option of fine.
“He is currently detained at the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and a discreet investigation conducted led to the arrest of additional three suspected receivers and the recovery of eight (08) mobile phones. The suspects are helping in the investigation.
“The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, PhD thanked members of the public for their cooperation and urged everyone to be wary of such offers, especially from an unknown source.
“The Command encourages anyone who may have fallen victim to similar schemes to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation or contact 08069215688.”
