Police Neutralize One Bandit, Arrest 15 Others In Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command’s Anti-kidnapping Unit, led by SP Salisu Garba, has neutralised one bandit and detained 15 others, while also recovering firearms and live ammunition from criminals in the state.

While parading the alleged bandits before reporters, State Police Commissioner Ali Hayatu Kaigama emphasised that the breakthrough was part of a larger effort to clear the state of crimes and criminalities, particularly serious crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, and livestock rustling.

The agents also successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt in Gigani village of Gwadabawa local government area by engaging the suspected bandits in a ferocious gun battle and neutralising one of the suspected bandits and his GPMG rifle with six live ammunition attached to the chain.

The CP insisted that strong efforts were still being made to find and apprehend other members who were on the run.

“Police operatives on 13/02/2024, acting on credible intelligence, laid ambush along the Bodinga-Tambuwal Highway; arrested an eight-man kidnapping group and their alleged driver when going out for their criminal activities and in possession of three Ak47 rifles with 90 rounds of live ammunition; 30 from each magazine,” he said.

Kaigama stated that the village head of Gedawa village in Wamakko LGA of Sokoto State reported at Wamakko Police Station, “that on the same date, at about 12 pm, unknown gunmen invaded his village and kidnapped Harande Gidado, Alhaji Buba Zaria and Alhaji Manuga Kware, all of Wamakko LGA in Sokoto State to an unknown destination.

“In continuation of the investigation, on 10/02/2024, one Surajo Rugga, Sanda Bube, Umaru Jemmu and Faruku Usman all of Baliyo village in Binji LGA of Sokoto were arrested.

“During interrogation, three out of the four suspects confessed to having conspired with others (now at large) to perpetrate the crimes and will soon be arraigned for prosecution,” he stated.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli