Sokoto State Police Command has rescued eight kidnapped victims, recovered 689 rustled domestic animals and arrested suspected kidnappers, bandits and criminal collaborators during a series of operations across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Sokoto on the Command’s security operations carried out between May and July 2026.
Shaffa said coordinated operations involving police tactical teams and other security agencies foiled several bandit attacks in Tangaza, Wamakko, Tureta, Bodinga and other parts of the state, leading to the recovery of 689 stolen domestic animals, which have since been returned to their rightful owners.
He said six travellers abducted along the Rabah-Maikujera Road were rescued after a joint police and military team engaged bandits in a gun battle, forcing them to flee, while two other victims were rescued during a separate operation in Jaredi Village, Binji Local Government Area.
According to him, all eight victims were rescued unharmed and reunited with their families.
The police commissioner said intelligence-led operations also resulted in the arrest of several suspected kidnappers, bandits and informants, including three suspects who allegedly confessed to participating in attacks in Tangaza, Gudu, Sabon Birni and Gwadabawa Local Government Areas.
He added that operatives arrested a suspected bandit informant and another suspect accused of using WhatsApp to impersonate a bandit and threaten his former employer after being dismissed from work.
Shaffa further disclosed that police intercepted a suspected collaborator allegedly supplying fuel to members of the Lakurawa terrorist group around Bilangi Forest.
