Police foil bandits’ attack in Sokoto, recover rustled livestock
Police foil bandits’ attack in Sokoto, recover rustled livestock
By Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
Crack teams of Personnel attached to two Police Divisions under the Sokoto State Police Command have variously foiled some bandits’ attacks and successful recovered some rustled livestock.
This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday in Sokoto by the spokesperson of the command, DSP Ahmed Rufai.
The statement said that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in Shagari, on Tuesday, at about 19:20hrs, acted on a distress call that armed bandits in large numbers attacked Horo Birni and Marake villages.
It added, “The assailants shot sporadically and rustled an unspecified number of domestic animals belonging to the villagers.
“Upon receipt of the information, the DPO mobilized all tactical teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the VCRU, as well as the Military Forward Operating Base (FOB), to the scene.
“The joint security forces engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted for some time.
“The hoodlums were overpowered and escaped through a nearby forest, abandoning all the rustled animals.”
According to the statement, 195 cows, 84 sheep and two camels were recovered.
Also, two villagers sustained bullet wounds and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
In the same vein, on 04/08/2026 at about 20:10hrs, a distress call was received that armed bandits in large numbers attacked Maikujera Village, a remote hamlet in Rabah LGA.
It added, “The assailants shot sporadically and rustled One Hundred and Seventy-One (171) domestic animals belonging to the villagers, including camels, cows, sheep, and goats.
“Upon receipt of the information, the DPO, who was already on alert, immediately mobilized all tactical teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and VCRU.
“They blocked the exit routes of the village and engaged the bandits in a gun duel that lasted for some time.
“The hoodlums were overpowered and escaped through a nearby forest, abandoning the rustled animals.
“One Hundred and Seventy-One (171) domestic animals (including camels, cows, sheep, and goats.”
The statement said that the Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, has commended the gallant efforts of the security operatives, including the DPOs, tactical teams, VCRU, and the military, for their swift response and professionalism in foiling these attacks and ensuring the recovery of all rustled animals without any loss of life among security personnel or villagers.
He urged, ” I urge all residents to continue cooperating with security forces by reporting suspicious activities promptly. We are actively pursuing the fleeing bandits and are determined to bring them to justice.
“Let us remain united and resilient in the face of these challenges. The Command will continue to deploy all available resources to ensure that Sokoto State remains safe and secure for all law-abiding citizens.”
