Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Sokoto State Command, said it has arrested some alleged bandits’ informants and terrorism financiers, just as it recorded several operational achievements, according to the Commissioner of Police (CP), Alhaji Hayatu Hassan Shaffa.
The CP, who addressed newsmen on Friday in Sokoto, said the press briefing was convened to update the public on the current security landscape and the operational strides recorded by the Sokoto State Police Command.
He disclosed that on April 17, 2026, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, trailed and arrested one Aminu Mai Roba of Maikulki Village, Binji Local Government Area.
According to Shaffa, the suspect was intercepted along the Ruwa-Wuri–Tangaza Road in possession of four cows.
He added: “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to receiving the animals from the Lakurawa terrorist group at Wariya Village, Tangaza LGA.
“His role was to sell the cattle and return the proceeds to the terrorist network.
“The recovered cows have been registered as exhibits, and the case is currently under further investigation.”
Shaffa said the engagement formed part of their strategic communication framework aimed at fostering transparency, strengthening public confidence, and reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between the Police and the citizenry.
“The Command, under my stewardship, remains firmly committed to its constitutional mandate: the protection of lives and property, the prevention and detection of crime, and the maintenance of law and public order.
“In strict compliance with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on professional conduct, discipline, illegal detention, shabby dressing, wearing of beards, and the raiding of all potential criminal hideouts, this Command has recalibrated its internal enforcement mechanisms.
“Since my assumption of duty, the Command has recorded significant operational breakthroughs against violent crimes.
“These achievements are not only indicative of the professionalism, vigilance, and gallantry of our officers, but have been further strengthened by the IGP’s vision in restructuring the Force.
They also strengthen the bond of relationship and collaborative engagement among sister security agencies, vigilante groups, and other critical stakeholders in the state.”
Shaffa listed other achievements recorded in the past one month, saying that on April 8, at about 0420hrs, police attached to Sabon-Birni received a distress call reporting that a large number of armed bandits, bearing sophisticated weapons, had attacked Kwarengamba and Gayya da Kwari villages in Sabon-Birni LGA, which borders the Republic of Niger.
“Our Police Tactical Team, in conjunction with the Military, Community Guard Watch, and local vigilantes, mobilized immediately to the scene.
“The joint force routed the bandits and engaged them in a fierce gun duel.
“The bandits were overpowered and fled with bullet wounds into the nearby bush.
“During the pursuit, they abandoned a sack containing 167 rounds of live ammunition, which has since been recovered and registered as an exhibit.”
Also, on 15/04/2026 at about 1000hrs, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit raided identified black spots across three Local Government Areas.
They were: Dogon Daji in Tambuwal LGA, Mallamawa in Kware LGA, and Giyawa in Goronyo LGA. Three suspects were arrested during the coordinated raid.
They were: Isiya Yusuf of Maganga Village, Goronyo LGA; Dankulu Sani of Dogon Daji, Tambuwal LGA; and Yushau Abubakar of Kware LGA.
Shaffa added: “The following incriminating items were recovered from their hideouts: “Seven locally made Dane guns; one AK-47 magazine; one military uniform; sharp cutlasses; hard drugs; and a quantity of dry leaves suspected to be Indian Hemp.
“All three suspects have been charged to court accordingly.”
He reaffirmed that the Sokoto State Police Command remained resolute, proactive, and strategically positioned to confront and decisively neutralize all forms of criminality within the State.
According to Shaffa, the Command shall continue to deepen its operational capacity through intelligence gathering, strategic deployment of personnel, and community policing initiatives.
He said: “We are committed to ensuring that no criminal element finds safe haven within our communities.
“Guided by the rule of law and respect for human rights, we urge the public to stay vigilant, security-conscious, and cooperative.
“We ask citizens to provide credible, timely, and actionable intelligence to the Police, with the assurance that their confidentiality will be protected.
“Public support remains a critical force multiplier in our collective quest to maintain peace, stability, and order.
“Let me assure you that the Command will not relent in its avowed commitment to safeguarding lives and property, and to upholding the sanctity of law and order across the Caliphate.”