Posted by Chinenye on Tue 22nd Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
A routine crackdown in Kano has uncovered a disturbing link between commercial tricycles and a phone-snatching syndicate.
(Kano Task Force. Photo by Daily Post)
Kano State's Multi-Agency Task Force has warned tricycle owners not to let their vehicles be used for crime.
The task force confiscated a tricycle linked to a phone-snatching gang called Yan Liya.
The task force chairman said they arrested a member of the syndicate and secured his conviction.
The tricycle was forfeited.
Yan Liya uses commercial tricycles known as Keke Napep to steal phones across the state.
The arrested suspect said he couldn't even count how many phones his gang had stolen.
Some tricycle owners knowingly rent their vehicles to criminals for higher payments, knowing what the vehicles will be used for.
Instead of charging half-day rates, they double the money.
The task force warned residents to be careful when boarding commercial tricycles.
Owners will face serious consequences if their vehicles are used for crime.
The task force will arrest the rider and confiscate the tricycle.
No instrument of crime will be returned.
Since being inaugurated on July 22, the task force has arrested more than 380 suspects and secured more than 230 convictions.
Operations targeted drug abuse, thuggery and other crimes.
They recovered illicit drugs including cannabis, tramadol, pregabalin and diazepam.
They seized dangerous weapons like knives, cutlasses, daggers and clubs from criminal hideouts.