The Sokoto State Police Command has recovered 11 rustled cattle after armed bandits fled during a gun battle with security operatives in Tangaza.
The command disclosed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, outlining recent operations carried out by the Tangaza Division, Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Vehicle Crime Recovery Unit (VCRU) and the Strike Force.
The police said the attack occurred on July 20 when suspected Lakurawa bandits stormed Ayawa village, firing sporadically before making away with 11 cattle. Following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer, working with the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and VCRU, mobilised operatives who blocked escape routes and confronted the attackers.
The statement said the security team engaged the bandits in “a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time.” It added that the criminals, “overwhelmed by the superior firepower and tactical positioning of our operatives,” abandoned the stolen cattle and escaped into a nearby forest. The recovered animals were later returned to their owners.
The command also announced the arrest of four suspects linked to the theft of 53 pieces of women’s wrapper materials stolen from a shop in the Guiwa Low Cost area of Sokoto.
Police said the shop owner, Marwanu Akibu, reported that unknown persons broke into his shop on July 10 and carted away the goods. Acting on the complaint, Strike Force operatives arrested Mustpha Danbaba during a patrol around the Old Market area.
During interrogation, the suspect “confessed to breaking into the shop and stealing the wrappers.” He also told investigators that he sold the items to Abubakar Usman, while Bashar Abubakar and Sa’adu Shehu assisted in selling the stolen property. Police said the investigation is still in progress.
In another operation, the Strike Force arrested a suspected member of a motorcycle theft syndicate after residents of Gidan Masau reported the disappearance of several motorcycles from their neighbourhoods.
Police identified the suspect as Kabiru Abubakar, who was arrested during an operation around the Aliyu Jodi and Sahara areas. Investigators said he confessed to working with Ibrahim Muhammad of Tamaje, who remains at large.
The statement said the suspects allegedly stole motorcycles from Mana Babba, Nakasari, Bado Quarters, Gidan Kanawa and Tamaje before selling them to two suspected receivers, Ahmad of Sabon Titi and Alhaji Kabiru of Hausawa area, who are also being sought by the police.
Commissioner of Police Hassan Hayatu Shaffa praised the officers involved in the operations and reaffirmed the command’s resolve to tackle criminal activities across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies to strengthen efforts at protecting lives and property.