KANO, Nigeria — A severe wave of automobile thefts and violent petty crimes has gripped the commercial enclave of Sabon Gari in Kano State, leaving residents trapped in a state of constant fear and economic distress.
Daily News 24 reports that multiple victims and community leaders have raised the alarm over what they describe as a “car theft pandemic,” pointing fingers at a lack of police proactivity and a surge in criminal elements linked to local market relocations.
The situation has deteriorated to the point where even sophisticated anti-theft sensors, tracking systems, and physical barriers are failing to deter syndicate members, who seamlessly move stolen vehicles past unstaffed night checkpoints.
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Devastating Losses: Victims Recount Bitter Experiences
For local business owners, the loss of a vehicle goes far beyond personal inconvenience, it strikes at the very heart of their livelihoods.
Emmanuel Ifeanyi, a local merchant who sells car batteries, recounted the devastating theft of his fairly new Pontiac Vibe, which he purchased for N7 million in December 2025. Ifeanyi’s vehicle was stolen from Sarkin Yaki, along Court Road in Sabon Gari, on the night of May 2.
“I came back home one night around 11 p.m., parked my car just outside my house, locked it, and removed the battery because thieves had previously stolen my neighbours’ batteries,” Ifeanyi explained. “Although I sell car batteries and have spare batteries in my shop, I think that is what they used to start and steal my car despite the battery being removed.”
The loss has crippled Ifeanyi’s business operations. He relied on the car to transport large goods and attend to emergency night-time clients. He now resorts to tricycles and motorcycles, which are highly inefficient for moving heavy commercial stock.
Another resident, Mr Sunday, fell victim to the syndicate on May 5 when his 2000 Honda CR-V was stolen from the front of his compound on Church Road during the day. Sunday discovered the theft upon returning home around 10 p.m. and said the psychological and financial trauma has left him in deep disbelief.
Criminal Network Expands Across Hotspots
According to community trackers, the hardest-hit areas within the Sabon Gari axis include Zungeru Road, Sarkin Yaki, Court Road, and the intersection of Church and Igbo roads. Reports indicate that thefts are occurring in rapid succession, targeting diverse vehicle models ranging from standard sedans to high-end SUVs, including a 2007 Toyota RAV4 recently stolen from the Balatus area.
The crisis has even breached religious sanctuaries. Chief Basil Ulasi, Chairman of the Kano State Landlords and Caretakers Association, revealed that two cars were stolen directly from a church compound on a single Sunday. The incident forced local churches to implement additional security measures, including issuing parking counterfoils to congregants upon arrival.
Chief Ulasi further exposed what he described as a compromise within the neighbourhood’s internal security system, noting that some local private night watchmen, popularly known as Mai Guards, are allegedly colluding with the syndicates.
“In Sabon Gari, there are local security guards paid to protect homes and shops,” Ulasi said. “However, in some cases, these same guards are involved in criminal activities. These criminals live among us.”
The community leader recounted an unsettling encounter in which criminal elements openly extorted him under the implicit threat of vandalising his shop or stealing his car battery. He also noted that infrastructural improvements have yielded unintended consequences.
“There are streetlights throughout Sabon Gari, but they have not solved the problem. In fact, it sometimes appears that the criminals use the lighting to carry out their activities more effectively at night,” Ulasi remarked.
Market Relocation and the Rise of ‘Area Boys’
Stakeholders have directly linked the spike in urban crime to structural changes within the local economy, specifically pointing to the relocation of the market from Yankura to New Road.
According to the Landlords Association, the relocation has generated significant social disruption, creating a breeding ground for unstructured ‘area boys’ and transient youths who engage in daytime intimidation and night-time robberies. Chief Ulasi recalled confronting a group of youths attempting to break into a commercial shop, only to be threatened with knives until his tenants mobilised en masse and forced the suspects to back down.
Outrage Over Police Inaction and Night Patrol Deficit
Frustration is mounting across Sabon Gari over the perceived complacency of the Kano State Police Command. Both victims and community leaders have alleged a lack of follow-up on reported cases.
Ifeanyi revealed that despite filing formal complaints with the local division, the Jedi Jedi post, and the specialised Anti-Car Theft Unit, he has received no feedback. He criticised the night deployment strategy, noting that police checkpoints are routinely abandoned by midnight, leaving the entire area exposed unless communities fund heavily armed private guards.
“What surprises me most is how they are able to drive the stolen vehicles through the city without being stopped at police checkpoints,” Ifeanyi added, alleging that thorough document checks are rarely conducted and that informal financial settlements often allow drivers to pass without scrutiny.
Echoing these grievances, Chief Ulasi claimed that calls placed to Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) during active crimes frequently go unanswered. He also raised concerns about a “catch-and-release” pattern, noting that suspects handed over to the police often reappear on the streets shortly afterwards, while residents who attempt jungle justice face immediate arrest.
The community is urgently calling on the state government to enforce comprehensive police patrols, establish functional late-night exit checkpoints, and ensure vehicle registration papers are properly checked before drivers leave the Sabon Gari area. They also suggest relocating the New Road market hub to restore order.
Efforts to reach the Kano State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, for an official statement on the security situation were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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