By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto state)
In their sustained efforts towards riding the State of criminal elements, the Sokoto State Police Command has smashed terror financing network, arrest suspected bandits and informants.
Revealing the success at the Command Headquarters, the State Commissioner of Police, (CP) Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, reeled out legions of successes attained against bandits, kidnaping and other criminals operating within the state.
The CP who noted that the briefing was convened to keep the public informed about the evolving security situation in the state and to highlight the successes recorded by the Command in strengthening internal security and safeguarding communities, added that, periodic engagement with the media remained part of the Command’s strategic communication policy geared towards promoting transparency, building public confidence and strengthening cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the public.
"The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command, acting on credible intelligence on April 17, 2026, arrested a suspected terrorism collaborator identified as Aminu Mai Roba of Maikulki Village in Binji Local Government Area.
The suspect, he said, was intercepted along the Ruwa–Wuri–Tangaza Road while transporting four cows believed to have been supplied by a notorious terrorist group operating in the area.
“During interrogation, the suspect confessed that he received the cattle from members of the Lakurawa terrorist group at Wariya Village in Tangaza Local Government Area,” the Police Commissioner stated.
“He admitted that his role was to sell the stolen cattle and remit the proceeds back to the terrorist network. The recovered cows have been registered as exhibits and the case is undergoing further investigation.”
CP Shaffa further assured of his commitment to protecting lives and property, prevent crimes and maintaining law and order across Sokoto State.
“In strict compliance with the directives of the Inspector General of Police on professional conduct, discipline and the enforcement of operational standards, this Command has recalibrated its internal enforcement mechanisms to ensure maximum efficiency,” He enthused
While noting since assumption of office, the Command had recorded significant operational gains against violent crimes, the CP Sjaffa attributed the successes to the dedication and professionalism of police personnel as well as collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders.
Highlighting another major operation, Shaffa disclosed that on April 8 at about 4:20 a.m., security forces responded to a distress call reporting a coordinated attack by armed bandits on Kwarengamba and Gayya da Kwari villages in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, a border community with the Republic of Niger.
He said a joint security team comprising the Police Tactical Unit, military personnel, Community Guard Watch and local vigilantes swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The bandits were eventually overpowered and forced to flee into the bush with gunshot wounds,” he said.
“In the course of the pursuit, the criminals abandoned a sack containing 167 rounds of live ammunition, which has been recovered and registered as evidence.”
Shaffa also revealed that on April 15, 2026, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit conducted coordinated raids on suspected criminal hideouts across three local government areas Dogon Daji in Tambuwal, Mallamawa in Kware, and Giyawa in Goronyo.
Continuing, CP Shaffa said the operation led to the arrest of three suspects identified as Isiya Yusuf of Maganga Village in Goronyo LGA, Dankulu Sani of Dogon Daji in Tambuwal LGA, and Yushau Abubakar of Kware LGA.
"Several incriminating items were recovered from the suspects’ hideouts, including seven locally fabricated Dane guns, an AK-47 magazine, a military uniform, sharp cutlasses, hard drugs and quantities of dry leaves suspected to be Indian hemp. NNL.
