Police nab bandits’ informants, foil attacks in Sokoto
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police has recorded a string of significant successes in ongoing counter-banditry operations across Rabah, Kware, Wurno, Binji, and other Local Government Areas.
In a major breakthrough, operatives have arrested two suspected bandit informants and terrorism financiers who have been on the watchlist of security agencies.
This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, issued in Sokoto.
It said, “On 15 May 2026 at about 0700hrs, acting on credible intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer of Unguwar Rogo, in conjunction with the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, successfully trailed and arrested two suspects.
“They are Yahaya Kurma and Musa Lawali, both residents of Kurya Village, Rabah LGA.
“Both suspects had been on the police intelligence watchlist for a long period due to their alleged role as key informants and financial facilitators for bandit gangs.
“They were intercepted while riding an unregistered Honda motorcycle and carrying two bags of dried leaves strongly suspected to be Indian hemp.
“Intelligence indicates the suspects were actively supplying the narcotics to bandits terrorizing Rabah, Kware, and Wurno LGAs as part of a logistics and financing arrangement. The case is under investigation.”
Meanwhile, the statement said police attached to Binji Division received a distress call on 14 May 2026 at about 2330hrs, that a large number of armed bandits had invaded Gimba Villages, a remote hamlet under Gawazzau District in Binji LGA.
The assailants, shooting sporadically, rustled unspecified number of domestic animals.
However, policel tactical teams alongside soldiers from an Army Forward Operating Base engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time.
“The hoodlums were overpowered and they escaped through a nearby forest abandoning the stolen animals. A total of seventy-eight rustled cows were recovered.
“The recovered animals will be handed over to their rightful owners, and the joint team has maintained vigilance in the area,” the statement added.
Similarly, on 16 May 2026 at about 0300hrs, a police patrol team traced the footprints of some criminals who stole some sheep from More village.
The trace led to a house in Badageni Village, Kware LGA, where Ibrahim Aliyu, 40, Rabiatu Ibrahim, 20, and Aisha Ibrahim, 15, were arrested.
According to the statement, one of the suspects, Rabiatu, confessed that one Auwalu and Juli, both at large, brought the sheep to the house.
“Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects, as investigation continues.
“The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, reiterates the Command’s commitment to rid the state of banditry, kidnapping, and related crimes.
“The citizens are encouraged to continue providing timely and credible information that will assist in crime prevention and control,” the statement said.
