Two brave policemen sustained injuries while engaging a gang of armed robbers in a fierce gun battle at Gwammaja Quarters in Dala Local Government Area of Kano State. The confrontation, which occurred on Monday, April 22, 2025, led to the death of a notorious robbery suspect and the launch of a manhunt for his fleeing accomplices.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Police Command, Superintendent Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the police received a distress call at about 1:00 pm on the day of the incident. The report indicated that an armed robbery syndicate, led by a well-known criminal identified as Halifa Baba-Beru, had launched a violent attack on residents of Gwammaja Quarters.
“The Kano State Police Command responded to a distress call on April 22, 2025, at about 1:00 pm regarding an armed robbery syndicate led by a wanted notorious suspect, Halifa Baba-Beru of Gwammaja Quarters, Dala LGA,” Kiyawa stated.
He added that the gang was armed with dangerous weapons and had begun attacking innocent people in the area before police operatives were deployed.
On arriving at the scene, the police team was met with violence as the robbers opened fire, resulting in a gun duel between the criminals and law enforcement officers.
Two officers—Abdullahi Ibrahim and Yahaya Saidu—were injured in the shootout. However, in the heat of the exchange, the leader of the gang, Baba-Beru, was also shot and seriously wounded.
All injured persons, including the suspect, were quickly taken to the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in Kano for emergency treatment. While the officers received medical attention and have since been discharged, Baba-Beru died at the hospital as a result of his injuries.
The late Halifa Baba-Beru was known to the police as a dangerous criminal with a long record of robbery and violent attacks in Dala and surrounding areas. His name had appeared in several criminal investigations over the years, and he was described as “wanted and dangerous”by the police.
Locals in the Gwammaja area had also complained in the past about increasing criminal activities linked to Baba-Beru’s gang, including house break-ins, phone snatching, and attacks on traders and commuters.
His death is seen as a major breakthrough in the fight against organised crime in the area, though police authorities have warned that his accomplices remain at large and could pose further danger to public safety.
According to SP Kiyawa, the police have launched a full investigation into the case and are working hard to track down the fleeing members of the gang. The public is being urged to remain vigilant and provide information that could assist in the arrest of these individuals.
“We assure the public that we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice is served. The command commends the bravery and dedication of the officers involved in the operation,” Kiyawa said.
He reiterated the police’s commitment to protecting lives and property, and called on the public to continue supporting security efforts by reporting suspicious behaviour or criminal activities to the nearest police station.
“We remain committed to protecting lives and property in Kano State and urge the citizens to continue supporting our efforts by providing valuable information and intelligence,” he added.
Residents of Gwammaja Quarters expressed relief over the operation, noting that the area had suffered from constant harassment by violent gangs.
“People have been afraid to go out at night. Phone snatching and street robbery had become normal here,” said Mallam Sani, a local shop owner. “We thank the police for responding quickly and dealing with the criminals.”
Other residents called on the government to provide more streetlights, patrols, and security posts to prevent future attacks.
Kano, like many major Nigerian cities, has seen a rise in urban crime, especially in densely populated areas. Gangs often take advantage of poor lighting, weak neighbourhood security, and lack of surveillance to operate freely.
The police have in recent months increased efforts to clamp down on these criminal elements through targeted operations and community-based policing.
Monday’s successful response to the robbery at Gwammaja Quarters is seen as part of a broader crackdown aimed at dismantling armed gangs and restoring peace to volatile neighbourhoods.
While the police continue to fight crime across the state, security experts say public cooperation remains key. Many crimes go unreported either due to fear of retaliation or lack of trust in authorities. The police are now encouraging residents to speak out and make use of emergency hotlines and community engagement platforms.
