Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a significant security development in northern Nigeria, the Kano State Police Command has apprehended a wanted suspected gang leader, Sunusi Dawa Kamsusi—popularly known as Dawa Dan Kamsusi—along with nine other individuals allegedly linked to a range of criminal activities that have plagued communities across Kano State. The arrests underscore a renewed focus by law enforcement on dismantling organized criminal enterprises and restoring public safety.
The operation culminated after the Hannu Da Yawa Youth Development Association Bachirawa (HADAYA) formally alerted police on January 5, 2026, to a surge in violent and acquisitive crimes attributed to the gang. Residents in areas including Bachirawa, Kurna, Rijiyar Lemo, Zango, and Kunture had reported escalating cases of armed robbery, theft, shop and home break‑ins, drug distribution, and destruction of local vigilante facilities—crimes that had eroded community confidence and heightened insecurity.
Responding to the complaint, the Commissioner of Police for Kano State, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, directed an intelligence‑led operation by the command’s Anti‑Daba Unit to identify, locate, and detain those responsible. The operation was rooted in targeted community policing efforts and sustained surveillance, reflecting an operational shift toward proactive crime prevention and coordinated investigative work.
Law enforcement personnel subsequently located and arrested Dawa Dan Kamsusi, 26, a resident of Bachirawa Quarters. According to the police public relations officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, officers recovered three knives and an item described as a suspected charm from the principal suspect during the arrest. The gang leader is alleged to have played a central role in orchestrating armed robbery, mobile phone snatching, and break‑ins that have instilled fear in residents.
Following the initial arrest, sustained investigative work led to the detention of nine other suspected gang members. Police sources report that the suspects have been linked to multiple felonious acts, and in the course of interrogation the primary suspect is said to have confessed to involvement in a series of organised criminal actions. Approximately 30 victims have since come forward with formal complaints against the suspects, indicating a broader pattern of alleged wrongdoing.
Authorities have not yet detailed the identities or specific roles of the nine others arrested, but the police command has indicated that all suspects will face prosecution once the ongoing investigation is concluded. Legal proceedings in high‑profile criminal cases in Nigeria can be protracted, and successful prosecution will hinge on the strength of evidentiary links established by detectives.
The arrests have drawn cautious praise from local residents and community leaders, who have endured repeated cycles of violence and property loss. For many, the operation represents a tangible response to persistent insecurity that has impacted livelihoods, disrupted commerce, and strained relations between civilians and security agencies. Community‑based organisations like HADAYA have been vocal advocates for improved safety, pushing authorities to take decisive action.
Police leadership has also highlighted the role of collaboration between security forces and local communities in achieving this outcome. Commissioner Bakori commended officers involved in the operation for their resilience and professionalism in high‑pressure conditions. He also publicly acknowledged the cooperation of residents whose tips and information were instrumental in directing police efforts.
This development comes amid ongoing security challenges in Kano State, where thuggery, armed robbery, and violent street crimes—often perpetrated by loosely organised groups known locally as “Yan Daba”—have periodically flared. Just days prior to the Dawa Dan Kamsusi arrests, clashes between rival thug groups in Kabara and Magashi quarters resulted in fatalities and further police action, including additional detentions and weapon recoveries.
Historically, the Kano State Police Command and other security agencies have undertaken multiple campaigns to curb criminal networks, including large‑scale operations yielding dozens of arrests for armed robbery, drug trafficking, motor vehicle theft, and other felonies over the past year. These operations have formed part of broader efforts by the Nigerian Police Force to enhance law enforcement presence, improve intelligence capabilities, and fortify community policing frameworks.
Analysts note that the persistent challenge of gang‑related crime in urban and peri‑urban areas like Kano underscores structural issues such as unemployment, youth marginalisation, and gaps in social services. Effective crime reduction strategies, they argue, require not only enforcement action but also investment in economic opportunities, education, and community development programmes that can address underlying drivers of violence and lawlessness.
However, the recent arrest of Dawa Dan Kamsusi and his suspected accomplices has been interpreted by law enforcement as a strategic victory in disrupting one of the groups implicated in a pattern of destabilising crimes. As the suspects await transfer to the judicial system, police officials have reiterated their commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that those responsible for heinous acts are brought to account.
In closing remarks following the arrests, the police command reaffirmed its broader mandate to protect lives and property across Kano State, urging citizens to maintain vigilance and report suspicious activities. Such reporting, authorities contend, remains essential to sustaining momentum in the fight against organised criminality.
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