Sokoto Police kill 3 bandits, recover AK-47

From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

In line with directives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to sustain the fight against violent crime across the nation and in a bid to checkmate the activities of banditry in the state, the Command has announced some successes.
This followed the swift mobilization, professional engagement, and subsequent neutralization of three bandits with recovery of their weapon and ammunition, which has significantly degraded the criminal capabilities in Bodinga LGA and its environs.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai.
It said, “In a decisive response to a distress call, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Anti-Kidnapping Unit successfully repelled an armed bandit attack on Bodinga Village, in Bodinga Local Government Area, late Wednesday night.
“At about 23:00 hours on June 10, 2026, a distress call was received reporting that a large number of armed bandits, wielding sophisticated weapons, were attacking the village. In an immediate reaction, the joint team was mobilized to the scene.
“Upon arrival, operatives courageously engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time.
“The superior firepower and tactical advantage of the security forces overwhelmed the bandits, forcing them to retreat into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds.
“A thorough combing of the bushes and the immediate vicinity led to the discovery of three neutralized bandits.”
The statement said tha recovered from the neutralized suspects were: One AK47 rifle and one magazine containing twenty-five (25) rounds of live ammunition
The statement continued, “No civilian or security force casualties have been recorded in the operation.
“A confidence-building patrol is currently ongoing in the area to ensure the safety of residents and prevent any further threats.
“Meanwhile, all neighboring divisions have been placed on high alert and directed to be on the lookout for any injured hoodlums fleeing the scene.
“The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, hereby pleads with members of the public, especially residents of Bodinga LGA and surrounding communities, to report any suspicious persons or individuals with gunshot wounds to the nearest security post.
“Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.”
“We believe that if we harness the intellectual talents in our tertiary institutions and deploy them efficiently, we will create new products and services, grow the economy and improve the living standards of our people.”
The executive secretary said the grant programme was also designed to prepare Nigerian researchers to compete successfully for international research grants.
According to him, Nigeria has moved from eighth to fourth position in Africa, in terms of research grant competitiveness over the past two years.
He said Nigerian scholars in the diaspora remained the highest-performing African researchers globally, expressing confidence that researchers within the country could attain similar levels of excellence with adequate support.
To accelerate commercialisation, Echono said the fund would host another NRF in November, where researchers would showcase innovations to investors, financial institutions, industries and start-up organisations.
He added that TETFund had created a national database of researchers and research outputs to facilitate access by potential investors and industry partners.
On accountability, Echono said the fund had not recorded significant cases of misuse of research grants due to its stringent monitoring mechanisms.
He explained that grants were disbursed in phases based on approved work plans and verified milestones, while project supervisors and monitors tracked implementation.