Joint Security Teams Neutralize Scores of Bandits, Recover Arms, Ammunition, livestock in Sokoto
Joint Security Teams Neutralize Scores of Bandits, Recover Arms, Ammunition, livestock in Sokoto
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
A combined team of police operatives and military personnel successfully repelled an attack by a large group of armed bandits early this morning, neutralized scores of bandits and recovered a significant cache of arms , ammunition and motorcycles.
A statement issued on Friday in Sokoto by the spokesperson of the State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, said that no casualties were recorded on the side of the security forces or villagers.
It added, “At about 04:00 hrs, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rabah acted on credible intelligence that a large number of armed bandits, wielding sophisticated weapons, were moving towards Maikujera Village with rustled animals en route to their camp in the notorious Gundumi forest.
“Acting swiftly, the DPO mobilized tactical teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with the military Forward Operating Base (FOB). The joint security team strategically blocked the bandits’ route, forcing a confrontation that led to a fierce gun duel.
“The criminals were engaged with superior firepower and tactical maneuvering, which overwhelmed them and forced them to retreat into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds,” a security source close to the operation stated.
“Following the engagement, a thorough combing of the bushes led to the recovery of many bodies of bandits and about 15 motorcycles of the said bandits were recovered.
“Also recovered were :
· Two (2) AK-47 rifles (breech numbers yet to be registered as taken by military)
· Fifty-two (52) rounds of live ammunition
· Sixty-two (62) rustled animals.”
According to the statement, the owners of the recovered livestock have been identified and will be handed over to them.
It continued, “All neighboring police divisions have been placed on high alert and directed to be on the lookout for any injured hoodlums sighted in their areas.
* The security situation in Rabah and the Maikujura general area remains calm and stable, with joint security teams maintaining a strong presence to prevent further attacks .
“The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, CP Hassan Hayatu Shaffa, has commended the gallant officers and military personnel for their professionalism, bravery, and swift response.
“He reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with all security agencies to rid the state of banditry and criminality.
“He further appealed to the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to aid in the ongoing fight against crime.”
