Police Foil Bandit Attack, Recover 11 Rustled Cattle, Arrest Theft Suspects in Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled a bandit attack in Tangaza Local Government Area, recovered 11 rustled cattle, and arrested several suspects in separate operations targeting property theft and motorcycle theft syndicates across the state.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the successful operations were carried out by officers of the Tangaza Division, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Village Crime Response Unit (VCRU), and the Command’s Strike Force.
The police said armed Lakurawa bandits attacked Ayawa village on Sunday evening, firing sporadically and rustling 11 cattle. However, security operatives swiftly responded by blocking all escape routes and engaging the criminals in a gun battle.
“The team engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time. Overwhelmed by the superior firepower and tactical positioning of our operatives, the criminals abandoned the stolen cattle and fled into the nearby forest. All 11 rustled cattle were recovered intact and handed over to the owners,” the statement said.
In a separate operation, the Strike Force arrested four suspects linked to the burglary of a shop at Guiwa Low Cost area of Sokoto, where 53 pieces of women’s wrapper materials were stolen.
Police said one of the suspects confessed to breaking into the shop and identified other accomplices who allegedly helped dispose of the stolen items. The case is currently under investigation.
The Command also announced the arrest of a suspected member of a motorcycle theft syndicate following complaints from six victims whose motorcycles were stolen from different parts of Sokoto metropolis.
According to the police, the suspect confessed to working with an accomplice still at large to steal motorcycles from several communities before selling them to suspected receivers.
Commending the officers involved, the Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Hassan Hayatu Shaffa, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain the fight against crime.
“The Sokoto State Police 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,” the commissioner said.
The police assured that investigations into the theft cases are ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal networks.
