Police kill two bandits, arrest 11 suspects in Sokoto

Some of the arrested suspects. Photo credit: Police command

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.”

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

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

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

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