Police kill two bandits, arrest 11 suspects in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has neutralised two suspected bandits, arrested 11 suspects and recovered 14 stolen motorcycles in separate operations carried out across the state.

The command also recovered two AK-47 rifles, two magazines, 54 rounds of live ammunition and a fabricated pistol during the operations.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the operations were conducted on 14 and 15 August as part of the command’s intensified campaign against banditry and motorcycle theft.

According to him, the breakthrough followed a distress call received at about 9pm on 15 August over the movement of armed bandits from Tsauana Forest towards Dankadu Village in Illela Local Government Area.

He said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Volunteer Constabulary and Rescue Unit (VCRU), alongside other tactical teams, immediately mobilised to the area.

“The gallant officers engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for a considerable time,” Rufa’i said.

He added that the bandits, unable to withstand the security forces’ firepower, fled into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds.

“Following a thorough combing of the bushes, the operatives neutralised two of the bandits and recovered two AK-47 rifles with breach numbers 6108 and 6327, two magazines and 54 rounds of live ammunition,” he said.

The police spokesman said no security operative or civilian was injured or killed during the encounter, adding that patrols had been intensified in the area.

He said neighbouring police divisions had also been placed on alert to apprehend any injured suspects who might attempt to seek medical treatment or refuge in the communities.

In a separate operation, the command said three suspects allegedly specialising in motorcycle theft were arrested in the Kwannawa and Tamaje areas of Sokoto metropolis.

The suspects were identified as Siba Abdullahi of Dimbiso Village, Wurno LGA; Hassan Hassan of Tamaje; and Usama Isah of Ungwar Rogo.

Five stolen motorcycles and a fabricated pistol were recovered from their premises, according to the police.

Similarly, the command said its Strike Force arrested two suspects, Hamza Abubakar of Mabera and Yasir Muhammed of Mana, over alleged criminal conspiracy, trespass, theft, forgery and receiving stolen property.

The arrests followed complaints by community leaders from Mana Babba, Mabera, Anguwar Rogo and Tamaje over alleged rising cases of motorcycle theft, extortion and illicit drug sales.

The command said investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly worked with several accomplices who are still at large to steal motorcycles and sell them to other members of the syndicate.

It said some suspects allegedly specialised in forging documents for the stolen motorcycles, while others facilitated their sale.

Police also arrested alleged buyers of the stolen motorcycles, including Abubakar Aliyu, Abdullahi Bashar and Zakariya Ibrahim.

“A total of nine stolen motorcycles have been recovered in connection with this syndicate,” the statement said.

The command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects still at large.

Commenting on the operations, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hassan Hayatu Shaffa, commended the personnel of the Strike Force, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and VCRU for their “professionalism, bravery and swift response.”

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Shaffa reiterated the command’s determination to tackle banditry, motorcycle theft and other forms of criminality across the state.

“All criminals operating within the state will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice,” the commissioner warned.

He urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police, while cautioning the public against purchasing stolen motorcycles.

“Buyers of such items will also face the full wrath of the law,” he warned.

The commissioner also appealed to parents and guardians to caution their children against involvement in criminal activities, assuring residents that the command would continue its operations until fleeing suspects were arrested and prosecuted.