Sokoto: Police foil bandits attack, recover 368 rustled animals

The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled coordinated bandit attacks on communities in Shagari and Rabah Local Government Areas, recovering 368 rustled domestic animals after separate gun battles with the attackers.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, saying the attacks occurred on Tuesday evening when heavily armed bandits invaded villages in the two council areas.

According to the statement, the first attack occurred at about 7:20 p.m. in Horo Birni and Marake villages in Shagari LGA, where the bandits stormed the communities, fired sporadically and rustled livestock.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Shagari immediately mobilised tactical operatives, including personnel from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Village Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and the Military Forward Operating Base, who engaged the fleeing bandits in a fierce gun battle.

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The superior firepower of the security team forced the attackers to retreat into a nearby forest, abandoning 281 animals comprising 195 cows, 84 sheep and two camels.

The police added that two villagers sustained gunshot injuries during the attack and were rushed to a hospital, where they are receiving treatment.

Barely an hour later, at about 8:10 p.m., another distress call reported a bandit attack on Maikujera village in Rabah LGA, where the assailants rustled 87 domestic animals.

The DPO in Rabah swiftly deployed tactical teams to block the bandits’ escape routes, leading to another exchange of gunfire that forced the attackers to flee, abandoning all 87 stolen animals.

In total, security operatives recovered 368 rustled animals from the two operations.

Commending the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, lauded the joint efforts of the police tactical teams and the military for their swift response and professionalism.

“I commend the gallant efforts of the security operatives, including the DPOs, tactical teams, VCRU and the military, for their prompt response and professionalism in foiling these attacks and ensuring the recovery of all rustled animals without any loss of life among security personnel or villagers,” the commissioner said.

Shaffa urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information, assuring them that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

“We are actively pursuing the fleeing bandits and are determined to bring them to justice. Let us remain united and resilient in the face of these challenges. The Command will continue to deploy all available resources to ensure that Sokoto State remains safe and secure for all law-abiding citizens,” he added.