Kano Task Force Warns Tricycle Owners as Keke Linked to Phone-Snatching Gang Is Forfeited

The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has warned commercial tricycle owners against allowing their vehicles to be used for criminal activities after confiscating a tricycle allegedly linked to a phone-snatching syndicate known as Yan Liya.

The chairman of the task force, Muhuyi Magaji Rimin Gado, issued the warning on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the committee’s activities since its inauguration by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf two months ago.

Rimin Gado said the task force had identified and arrested a suspected member of the syndicate and secured his conviction. He added that the commercial tricycle allegedly used by the suspect during the criminal operation was also forfeited.

According to the task force chairman, the Yan Liya syndicate allegedly uses commercial tricycles, popularly known as Adaidaita Sahu or Keke Napep, to snatch mobile phones from residents across Kano State.

“The suspect confessed that he cannot even count the number of phones his syndicate has stolen,” Rimin Gado said.

He also alleged that some tricycle owners knowingly make their vehicles available to criminals, with some reportedly demanding higher payments because they are aware of the illegal activities being carried out with the vehicles.

“Instead of collecting the normal half-day payment, they often double the money, having full knowledge of what their Keke Napep is being used for,” he said.

Rimin Gado urged residents to remain vigilant when using commercial tricycles and warned vehicle owners that they could face consequences if their vehicles were used to facilitate criminal activities.

“The Task Force will not only arrest the rider, but will secure forfeiture of the tricycle itself. No instrument of crime will be returned,” he said.

The crackdown is part of wider operations conducted by the task force since its inauguration on July 22. Rimin Gado said the joint operations had resulted in the arrest of more than 380 suspects and over 230 convictions in cases involving drug abuse, thuggery and other related offences.

He added that the operations also led to the recovery of illicit substances, including cannabis, tramadol, pregabalin and diazepam, as well as weapons such as knives, cutlasses, daggers and clubs allegedly recovered from criminal hideouts.