Police recover N59.2m stolen solar inverters in Kano

The Kano State Police Command has recovered 160 suspected stolen solar inverters valued at N59.2 million in separate operations aimed at tackling theft and armed robbery in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said detectives attached to the Sharada Police Division made the recovery after acting on credible intelligence.

According to him, the police received information on July 29 that a suspect was allegedly attempting to sell a large quantity of solar inverters at unusually low prices.

The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Abdullahi Isah, was arrested before detectives searched an uncompleted building at Haye Quarters along the Western Bypass in Kano, where they recovered 160 units of 6.5KW/48V solar inverters suspected to have been stolen.

Kiyawa said investigations were ongoing to determine the source of the inverters and identify other suspects linked to the case.

He appealed to members of the public who own, or may have lost, solar inverters matching the recovered items to visit the Sharada Police Division for identification and possible recovery.

In another operation, operatives of the command’s Special Intervention Squad arrested three suspects over the theft of six fuel dispensing machines valued at N10.2 million from Jajire Filling Station in Aku Village, Gaya Local Government Area.

The police said armed robbers invaded the filling station in the early hours of July 25, overpowered the security guards, tied them up, locked them inside a security room and fled with the dispensing machines.

Kiyawa said investigations led to the arrest of the three suspects, who allegedly confessed to purchasing the stolen machines from one Usman Ibrahim of Kaduna State, who is currently on the run.

He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspect and recover the stolen fuel dispensing machines.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks across Kano State and urged residents to avoid purchasing goods offered at suspiciously low prices. He also encouraged the public to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.