Police nab 3 suspects, recove AK-47 rifle, dane guns ammunition 

By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on banditry, arresting three suspects, recovering 46 rustled cows, and seizing a cache of weapons, including a fabricated AK-47 rifle.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, detailing a string of coordinated operations carried out between April 29 and May 3, 2026.

According to the statement, police operatives attached to Gidan Madi Division acted on credible intelligence on April 29, intercepting three suspects along the Tangaza–Gidan Madi Road following reports of suspicious movements on the outskirts of Tangaza town.

The suspects—Aliyu Bello (30), Dahiru Umar (25), and Bashar Isah Yusuf (29), all residents of Kwazari village in Kware Local Government Area—were found in possession of dangerous weapons concealed in sacks.

Recovered items include a fabricated AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, 17 rounds of live ammunition, two 32g cartridges, two dane guns, and six charms.

Police said the suspects are currently under investigation and will be charged in court upon conclusion of the process.
In a separate operation on May 3, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit responded to reports of a bandit attack in Gidan Bubu village, Wamakko LGA.

The attackers, armed with sophisticated weapons, were trailed to Gidan Gawe Forest in Silame LGA.

A fierce exchange ensued, forcing the bandits to flee with gunshot wounds, abandoning 19 rustled cows, which were recovered by the police.

Similarly, on April 30, police responded to a distress call from local security operatives in Tangaza over the movement of suspected members of the Lakurawa Terrorist Group.

The suspects, upon sighting security forces, fled and abandoned 27 stolen cows near Zamoriya village. Two individuals have since been identified as owners, while verification processes are ongoing.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the group had earlier raided Gumki and Zeringo-Gande villages on April 27 and 28.

Commending the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, praised their gallantry and professionalism, reiterating the Command’s commitment to flushing out criminal elements across the state.

“These successes highlight the power of timely intelligence and strong community collaboration. We will not relent until every criminal is brought to justice,” he said.

The police urged residents across affected areas, including Tangaza, Gidan Madi, Silame, Wamakko, and Kware LGAs, to continue supporting security efforts by providing actionable intelligence and reporting suspicious activities.