Police kill two bandits, arrest 11 suspects in Sokoto

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The Sokoto State Police Command has neutralised two suspected bandits and arrested 11 other suspects in separate operations against banditry, motorcycle theft and other crimes across the state.

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The command also recovered two AK-47 rifles, 54 rounds of live ammunition, magazines, a locally fabricated pistol and 14 stolen motorcycles during the operations conducted between August 14 and 15, 2026.

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The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the operations included a successful response to an attempted bandit attack on Dankadu Village in Illela Local Government Area.

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According to the statement, the police received a distress call at about 9 pm on August 15 that armed bandits were advancing from Tsauana Forest towards Dankadu Village.

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It said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Volunteer Constabulary and Rescue Unit, and other tactical teams were immediately deployed to the area.

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“The gallant officers engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun duel that lasted for a considerable time,” the statement said.

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The command said the bandits, overwhelmed by the security personnel’s superior firepower, fled into the forest with gunshot wounds.

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It added that a subsequent search of the area led to the neutralisation of two of the fleeing suspects and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two magazines and 54 rounds of live ammunition.

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The police said no security operative or resident was killed during the operation, adding that confidence-building patrols were ongoing to reassure residents of their safety.

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Meanwhile, three suspects were arrested in another operation targeting a motorcycle theft syndicate operating around the Kwannawa and Tamaje areas of Sokoto metropolis.

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The suspects were identified as Siba Abdullahi of Dimbiso Village, Wurno Local Government Area; Hassan Hassan of Tamaje; and Usama Isah of Ungwar Rogo.

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Police said five stolen motorcycles and a locally fabricated pistol were recovered from their premises.

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The command further said its Strike Force arrested other suspects allegedly linked to a wider network involved in motorcycle theft, extortion, forgery and receiving stolen property.

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It said the operation followed complaints from community leaders in Mana Babba, Mabera, Anguwar Rogo and Tamaje over increasing cases of motorcycle theft and other criminal activities.

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According to the police, Hamza Abubakar of Mabera and Yasir Muhammed of Mana were arrested during the operation.

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The suspects allegedly confessed to conspiring with other members of the syndicate, some of whom remain at large, to trespass and steal motorcycles.

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Further investigations led to the arrest of alleged buyers of the stolen motorcycles, identified as Abubakar Aliyu, Abdullahi Bashar and Zakariya Ibrahim.

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“A total of nine stolen motorcycles have been recovered in connection with this syndicate,” the command said.

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The police added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate.

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Commenting on the operations, the Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Hassan Hayatu Shaffa, commended the personnel involved for their “professionalism, bravery, and swift response.”

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Shaffa said the command remained committed to dismantling criminal networks operating in the state.

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He warned that “all criminals operating within the state will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.”

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The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to the police.

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He also cautioned members of the public against purchasing stolen motorcycles, warning that anyone found patronising stolen property would face prosecution.

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