Vigilantes operating in Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State have reportedly arrested a man identified as Sulaiman Fulani over allegations that he was inviting bandits into the area to carry out attacks.
The arrest reportedly took place in Toronya community in Shanono LGA, where vigilantes operating under the command of Sadiq Mu’azu, the Tsaure area commander, apprehended the suspect.
Local sources said Sulaiman was accused of inviting bandits into the area to carry out attacks against communities.
Details surrounding the arrest, including when the suspect was apprehended and whether he has been transferred to the police or another security agency, were not immediately available.
The reported arrest comes against the background of persistent security operations against bandits in Shanono, one of the Kano communities that have experienced incursions by armed groups operating around the state's border with neighbouring Katsina.
Shanono has recorded several bandit attacks in recent months, prompting increased military operations and greater involvement of community security groups.
On January 1 and 2, 2026, armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on communities in Shanono and Tsanyawa Local Government Areas.
The Nigerian Army confirmed that troops of the Joint Task Force responded to the attacks and engaged the armed groups before the attackers fled towards neighbouring Katsina State.
According to the Army, the fleeing bandits were tracked to Karaduwa village in Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The Air Component of Operation FANSAN YAMMA subsequently carried out an air strike against the group after intelligence indicated that the fighters had gathered in the area.
The military said 23 bandits were killed during the operation.
The January operation followed another attempted incursion into Yankwada, Babanduhu and neighbouring communities in Shanono.
Army spokesperson Major Zubairu Babatunde said troops engaged and dislodged the attackers after they entered the communities on motorcycles while firing their weapons.
The Army subsequently urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies as operations against bandit groups continued.
Shanono had experienced security problems before those attacks.
In October 2025, residents of Farin-Ruwa community appealed to the Federal Government and Kano State Government for increased security intervention following repeated attacks.
Chairman of the Farin-Ruwa Security Committee, Yahaya Bagobiri, said communities including Farin-Ruwa, Kuraku, Gorantuse, Saure and Shadu had been affected.
According to him, attacks had resulted in deaths as well as the theft of livestock and other property, while some residents had relocated because of insecurity.
In November 2025, bandits also attacked Yan Kwada village in the Faruruwa area of Shanono and abducted five women, including nursing mothers.
Local sources said two of the women later returned while three remained in captivity at the time the incident was reported.
The Nigerian Army has maintained an operational presence in the area.
In November 2025, Major General Abubakar Wase, General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force Operation FANSAN YAMMA, visited Forward Operating Bases at Farin Ruwa and Tsaure in Shanono.
The visit followed a bandit attack in which two security personnel and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force were killed.
The Army said the visit was aimed at assessing the security situation and providing operational guidance to troops fighting banditry in the area.
Another significant security operation occurred in March 2026 when armed bandits reportedly entered Tsauri town in Shanono in an attempt to rustle cattle.
Yahaya Bagobiri said the attackers arrived on about 150 motorcycles and targeted livestock belonging to a herder.
Security personnel and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force responded after communities raised an alarm.
The joint security operation reportedly killed two of the attackers and recovered more than 500 cattle that had been taken during the raid.
The security challenges affecting Shanono have also attracted the attention of federal lawmakers.
Official proceedings of the House of Representatives show that lawmakers considered the recurring bandit attacks in Shanono in May 2025.
The House recorded that armed men attacked the main market in Faruruwa town on April 17, 2025, killing two people, injuring six others and abducting one person.
Another attack was recorded in Shanono town on April 26, although the attackers were intercepted and no death was recorded.
The House consequently urged the Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Defence Staff and heads of other security agencies to establish tactical measures to address recurring banditry in the affected areas.
Security concerns have continued beyond Shanono.
In July 2026, the Kano State House of Assembly launched an investigation into the utilisation of security allocations released to the state's 44 local government councils following renewed bandit attacks.
The resolution followed an attack in Yan Cibi community of Yan Kamaye Ward in Tsanyawa LGA, where suspected bandits attempted to abduct residents and rustle cattle.
The Assembly called for additional security personnel, improved logistics and stronger measures to prevent banditry from spreading further into Kano communities.
Against this security background, vigilante groups have remained active alongside conventional security agencies in communities affected by bandit attacks.
Their operations have included monitoring communities, responding to attacks and providing local information to military and police personnel.
The reported arrest of Sulaiman Fulani in Toronya is the latest development involving local vigilantes operating in Shanono.
According to the information available to Stone Reporters News, Sulaiman was arrested by vigilantes under the command of Sadiq Mu’azu following allegations that he was inviting bandits into the area.
No further information was immediately available regarding the specific attacks he is alleged to have facilitated or the evidence recovered during his arrest.
There was also no immediate public statement from the Kano State Police Command or Nigerian Army concerning the reported arrest at the time of this report.
The allegation against him therefore remains an accusation pending investigation by the appropriate authorities.
His reported arrest comes as security forces and community groups continue efforts to prevent further bandit incursions into Shanono and surrounding communities.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly called on residents of affected areas to provide timely information capable of assisting security operations.
Following its January operations against armed groups attacking Shanono and Tsanyawa, the Army specifically thanked members of the public for their cooperation and urged residents to continue providing information that could help disrupt bandit activities.
The continuing military presence and community security operations reflect the security pressure facing communities close to the Kano-Katsina boundary.
For residents of Shanono, the reported arrest adds to ongoing efforts by vigilantes and formal security agencies to identify and stop activities linked to armed groups operating around the area.
Sulaiman Fulani remains accused of inviting bandits into the community, while further details are expected from the relevant security authorities regarding the circumstances of his reported arrest and any subsequent investigation.
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