Police arrest 36 suspects, rescue kidnap victims in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested no fewer than 36 suspects for alleged offences ranging from banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, drug trafficking and collaboration with criminal groups.

It also rescued kidnapped victims and recovered 689 rustled domestic animals in a series of operations carried out between May and July 2026.

Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, disclosed this on Thursday during a press briefing at the command headquarters in Sokoto, where he highlighted the command’s operational achievements and proactive security measures undertaken across the state.

Shaffa said the command foiled several bandit attacks in Tangaza, Wamakko, Tureta, Bodinga and other local government areas, leading to the recovery of the 689 animals, which have since been returned to their rightful owners. He said tactical teams engaged the bandits in gun battles during the operations.

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He also said police operatives rescued eight kidnapped victims in separate incidents at Rabah and Binji local government areas after fierce gun duels with armed bandits.

According to him, all the victims were rescued unhurt and reunited with their families.

The commissioner said the command arrested several suspected criminals, including a suspected bandit, three alleged members of the Lakurawa group, three suspected kidnappers, two suspected bandit informants, four suspected cattle rustlers, an alleged collaborator and fuel supplier to Lakurawa terrorists, as well as two suspected drug traffickers.

He added that one of the recent arrests involved a former employee who allegedly sent WhatsApp messages threatening his ex-employer while pretending to be a bandit. The suspect, he said, confessed to the offence during investigation.

On anti-bandit operations, Shaffa said police operatives neutralised four suspected bandits in separate encounters at Bodinga and Daraye village in Wamakko Local Government Area.

He said two AK-47 rifles, magazines and 53 rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

The commissioner further disclosed that the command dismantled motorcycle theft syndicates operating within Sokoto metropolis, recovering 14 stolen motorcycles and arresting 23 suspects involved in theft and receiving stolen property. The motorcycles, he said, had been returned to their owners.

On traffic enforcement, Shaffa said the command had impounded 105 vehicles for operating without number plates or with concealed registration plates since the enforcement exercise commenced on June 16.

He added that 96 offenders had been prosecuted under relevant provisions of the National Road Traffic Regulations and the Road Traffic Act.

The police commissioner urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations by ensuring their vehicles are properly registered and number plates clearly displayed, describing the exercise as part of efforts to strengthen security through improved vehicle identification.

He also appealed to residents to support the police and other security agencies with credible and timely information, stressing that community participation remains crucial to tackling insecurity and maintaining peace across Sokoto State.

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