By Hadiza Yusuf
KANO — The Kano State Police Command has arrested a 51-year-old man allegedly found in possession of a pistol, suspected cannabis, a knife and other items during the ongoing enforcement of Operation Clean Plates in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists at the Command Headquarters in Bompai, saying the arrest underscored the need for the operation targeting vehicles with covered, defaced or no registration number plates.
According to him, operatives attached to the Panshekara Police Division intercepted a vehicle without a registration plate at about 11 a.m. on July 9 within Kano metropolis.
Bakori said the driver, identified as Mahi Ibrahim of Rijiyar Zaki Quarters, allegedly refused to stop and attempted to flee but was later apprehended by the officers.
He said a search of the suspect and the vehicle led to the recovery of a Beretta pistol, dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, a sharp knife, electric wires, 120 lithium batteries and a vehicle suspected to be stolen.
“The driver refused to stop and attempted to evade arrest. Our officers trailed and apprehended him,” the commissioner said.
He added that the suspect had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation, while efforts were ongoing to determine the source of the recovered firearm and other exhibits.
“We are also working to trace the origin of the firearm and other exhibits to dismantle any wider criminal network,” he said.
Bakori said the arrest reinforced the objective of Operation Clean Plates, noting that vehicles without proper identification were often used to transport suspected criminals, firearms, narcotics and other prohibited items.
He disclosed that since the operation began on July 6, police had intercepted 123 vehicles with covered, defaced or no registration plates across the state’s 44 local government areas.
According to him, all the drivers had been charged to court and were being prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“I am pleased to report that all the drivers of the intercepted vehicles have been charged to court and are being prosecuted. This demonstrates our resolve that there will be no sacred cows and no room for impunity,” he said.
The commissioner assured residents that the operation would continue across the state and urged vehicle owners to ensure their vehicles are properly registered and fitted with standard number plates.
