Police neutralise suspected bandits, rescue eight victims in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command says it has rescued eight kidnapped victims, recovered 689 rustled domestic animals and arrested suspected kidnappers, bandits and criminal collaborators during a series of security operations across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Sokoto on the Command’s security operations conducted between May and July 2026.

Shaffa said coordinated operations involving police tactical teams and other security agencies thwarted several bandit attacks in Tangaza, Wamakko, Tureta, Bodinga and other parts of the state. He said the operations led to the recovery of 689 stolen domestic animals, all of which have been returned to their rightful owners.

According to the police commissioner, six travellers abducted along the Rabah–Maikujera Road were rescued after a joint police and military team engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, forcing them to flee. Two additional victims were also rescued during a separate operation in Jaredi Village, Binji Local Government Area.

He said all eight victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.

Shaffa further disclosed that intelligence-led operations led to the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, bandits and their collaborators. Among those arrested were three suspects who allegedly confessed to participating in attacks in Tangaza, Gudu, Sabon Birni and Gwadabawa Local Government Areas.

He added that operatives also arrested a suspected bandit informant and another suspect accused of using WhatsApp to impersonate a bandit and threaten his former employer after being dismissed from work.

The commissioner said police also intercepted a suspected collaborator allegedly supplying fuel to members of the Lakurawa terrorist group around Bilangi Forest. One suspect was arrested, while another escaped, abandoning petroleum products, suspected cannabis and tramadol tablets.

In separate operations in Bodinga and Daraye Village in Wamakko Local Government Area, Shaffa said police operatives neutralised four suspected bandits and recovered two AK-47 rifles along with 53 rounds of live ammunition.

He also disclosed that the Command arrested two suspected drug traffickers transporting large quantities of illicit drugs and dismantled a motorcycle theft syndicate, recovering 14 stolen motorcycles and arresting 23 suspects.

On traffic enforcement, Shaffa said the Command had impounded 105 vehicles for various traffic violations, while 96 offenders had been prosecuted since the exercise commenced on June 16.

He urged residents to continue providing security agencies with credible information, assuring them that the Command would sustain intelligence-led operations to safeguard lives and property across Sokoto State.