The Sokoto State Police Command has intensified its offensive against banditry and other violent crimes, successfully repelling separate attacks by armed bandits, recovering dozens of rustled cattle, and arresting suspects linked to burglary and motorcycle theft across the state.
In the latest operation, police operatives foiled an attack by suspected Lakurawa bandits on Ayawa village in Tangaza Local Government Area after responding swiftly to a distress call.
https://newsvelocityng.com/sokoto-police-foil-bandit-attacks-recover/According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the attackers stormed the community on Monday evening, firing sporadically before rustling 11 cattle.
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The Divisional Police Officer in Tangaza, supported by personnel of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Village Crime Reduction Unit (VCRU), quickly mobilised to the area, blocked strategic escape routes and engaged the fleeing bandits in a fierce gun battle.
“Overwhelmed by the superior firepower and tactical positioning of our operatives, the criminals abandoned the stolen cattle and fled into the nearby forest,” Rufa’i said.
All 11 cattle were recovered intact and returned to their owners, while security operatives have continued combing nearby forests in search of the fleeing suspects.
The latest success follows another major operation in Tureta Local Government Area, where a joint security team comprising police operatives, the Army Forward Operating Base and other security agencies recovered 25 cattle stolen during an attack on Imasa Matankari village near the Zamfara border.
Police said heavily armed bandits invaded the community, firing indiscriminately before escaping with livestock.
The combined security team intercepted the attackers after blocking escape routes and engaging them in a sustained gun battle, forcing the bandits to abandon the stolen cattle before fleeing into the Kuruwa Forest.
Police said no casualty was recorded and that surveillance and manhunt operations had been intensified to track down the fleeing suspects.
The command also recorded breakthroughs against property-related crimes.
The Strike Force arrested four suspects over the burglary of a shop in Guiwa Low Cost, Sokoto metropolis, after a trader reported the theft of 53 women’s wrapper materials.
Police said investigations led to the arrest of one suspect, whose confession allegedly exposed other members of the group involved in disposing of the stolen goods.
In another operation, operatives arrested a suspected member of a motorcycle theft syndicate believed to be responsible for stealing motorcycles from several communities across Sokoto metropolis, while efforts continue to arrest fleeing accomplices and suspected buyers of the stolen motorcycles.
Reacting to the security situation, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, commended security agencies for their swift response while calling for stronger intelligence gathering, improved collaboration among security agencies and greater support for frontline personnel.
Commissioner of Police Hassan Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining pressure on criminal groups.
“The Command remains unwavering in its commitment to eradicating crime and ensuring the safety of lives and property in the state. We urge residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information to security agencies,” he said.
Security experts say sustained intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration among security agencies remain crucial to tackling banditry in Sokoto and other North-West states affected by cross-border criminal activities.
