By Muhammad Rabiu Isah
Phone snatching is one of the alarming and pervasive issues in Kano that is rapidly spreading across Kano Metropolitan. This criminal activity is often carried out by young men due to the influence of illicit drugs.
Phone snatching involves forceful theft or extortion of mobile phones in Kano, often at knifepoint or with other dangerous weapons in public spaces such as bus stops, traffic junctions, streets, commercial tricycles (Keke Nepap), and secluded places.
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This analysis explores the root causes of phone snatching in Kano, its impact on society, and proposes actionable strategies for prevention, mitigation, and self-defense. Those young men who are supposed to be at learning points or business places, sadly, end up engaged in some illicit activities due to parents’ and society’s negligence.
The crime has escalated over the years, dating back to at least 2023 prior to the election and post-election, and has become a daily incident in areas such as Kofar Danagundi, Zoo Road, Kofar Kabuga, Dorayi, Titin ‘Yan Rake, Sharada, and Kofar Mata.
The perpetrators are referred to as Yan Daba (thugs): unemployed youths, drug addicts. Victims have died and been injured due to the consequences of their crimes.
One victim, Malam Ado of Sharada Bubbugaji, narrated how he was injured by a phone snatcher on his way to his residence after closing from his company. Hunters were converging to rejoice with one of their friends that got married. During the wedding ceremony (Gangi), one tall guy with a facemask asked him to give him his phone. He refused to surrender it before he was stabbed with a sharp object.
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In July, 2025, Sharada Police apprehended one Salisu Isah, 20 years, a tricycle (Keke Nepap) driver from Danja village, Gezawa Local Government, alongside two other persons, and they were paraded at Police Headquarters Kano with allegations of phone snatching. One of the suspects, Mujaheed, narrated that they entered Salanta Secondary School and snatched a phone before the residents of the area pursued them and burned the tricycle to ashes. This crime has become a daily occurrence in Kano Metropolitan.
Causes of Phone Snatching in Kano
Several factors contribute to phone snatching in Kano. Understanding these critical roots will pave the way for tangible solutions.
Poverty and Unemployment: High unemployment rates, particularly among youths, are a significant factor. Many young people lack access to jobs or vocational training, leading them towards criminal activities like phone snatching as a means of survival. The widespread use of smartphones among others pushes a phone snatcher to consider it a valuable asset for those who can’t afford it.
Drug Abuse: Many phone snatchers are drug addicts; they use the stolen phones to fund their addiction.
Weak Criminal Justice System and Political Influence: During the 2023 election, a recurring issue was the release of arrested phone snatchers, often facilitated by politicians or community leaders, which undermined deterrence. An ineffective criminal justice system has also fueled mob justice, taking action into their own hands.
Urbanization Sprawl: Kano is the second-largest commercial city in the country. This leads to urban-rural immigration, with high pedestrian traffic in areas like markets and bus stops, giving room for phone snatchers to carry out their activities.
Festival: During festivals like Sallah Durbar (Hawan Sallah), phone snatchers use the occasion to carry out their activities.
The impact of phone snatching includes loss of life and injuries, psychological trauma, economic loss, and social instability.
Prevention Strategies
Residents should avoid using phones in public, especially in high-risk areas, secluded places, or at night. Always avoid putting phones in front pockets; keep them in trousers or zipped bags. When using phones in public, individuals should stand behind a wall or less crowded area. And when confronted by a phone snatcher, don’t fight them, throw the phone away and seek help.
Strategies to Tackle Phone Snatching
Collaboration with handset marketers, mobile courts, increased patrols and intelligence, legislative and policy measures, youth empowerment programs, and surveillance cameras.
Muhammad Rabiu Isah is Kano based public affairs commentator
