The Kano State Police Command has arrested two suspects for allegedly posing as spirits, locally known as Aljannu, to deceive and extort unsuspecting residents.
The Command disclosed that 28 SIM cards used in the fraudulent scheme were recovered from the suspects.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, the suspects, Ahmad Ibrahim, 24, and Isma’il Muhammad, 22 both residents of Dandinshe Quarters in Dala Local Government Area, were arrested on April 10, 2026, by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.
According to the police, the arrest followed credible intelligence on suspicious phone activities linked to the suspects.
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During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to using multiple GSM lines and disguising their voices to sound like spirits.
“They used voice modulation to make their voices sound like ‘Aljannu’,” the statement said. “They would instruct victims to recite certain incantations and threaten them with misfortune if they failed to comply.”
The police alleged that the suspects exploited fear and spiritual beliefs to extort money and valuables, with over 500 victims reportedly affected by the scheme.
The recovered SIM cards are currently undergoing forensic analysis, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the operatives for their swift response and technical expertise in dismantling the network.
He warned that the Command would not tolerate criminals who exploit people’s beliefs for financial gain.
“Criminal elements are continuously devising new methods to exploit the fears and beliefs of citizens,” he said.
The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and avoid engaging with unknown callers demanding money or issuing spiritual threats.
“No genuine spiritual or religious authority communicates through phone calls to demand money or threaten individuals,” the statement added.
Residents were advised to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.