Police nab 3 suspects, recover fabricated AK-47 rifle, dane guns, ammunition
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command has recorded a series of successful operations between April and May 2026, leading to the arrest of three suspects, the seizure of a fabricated AK-47 rifle and other weapons, as well as the recovery of forty-six (46) rustled cows from armed bandits and terrorists.
This was contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, issued on Monday in Sokoto.
According to the statement, on 29th April 2026, at about 1020 hours, police operatives attached to Gidan Madi Police Station received information from a good Samaritan that on the same date at about 1000 hours, some suspicious individuals were sighted at the outskirts of Tangaza Town.
It added, “Consequently, police swung into action, intensified patrols, and conducted stop-and-search operations along the Tangaza–Gidan Madi Road. Subsequently, three suspects were arrested.
He listed their names as: Aliyu Bello, 30, Dahiru Umar, 25 and Bashar Isah Yusuf, 29.
The statement said that all tje three suspects are residents of Kwazari Village, Kware LGA.
The statement continued, “During a search, the suspects were found in possession of a sack concealed within another sack, which contained the following items:
“One fabricated AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, seventeen (17) rounds of AK-47 ammunition, two cartridge ammunition of 32g calibre, two dane guns and dix (6) charms
“The suspects are currently under investigation and will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation. “
The statement continued that on 3rd May 2026, at about 0400 hours, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit received credible intelligence that a large number of armed bandits wielding sophisticated weapons had invaded Gidan Bubu Village, Wamakko LGA, at about 0300 hours, shooting sporadically.
It added, “Police operatives immediately mobilized a tactical team and swung into action, trailing the bandits to Gidan Gawe Forest in Silame LGA.
“On sighting the police, the bandits opened fire. However, due to the superior firepower of the police team, the bandits abandoned the rustled cattle and fled into the nearby forest with various degrees of bullet wounds.
“Nineteen (19) cows were recovered as exhibits. Efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the fleeing suspects. The case remains under active investigation.”
The statement continued, “On 30th April 2026, at about 1800 hours, police operatives attached to Gidan Madi Police Station received a distress call from the Officer Commanding the Community Guard in Tangaza, requesting immediate police reinforcement to counter the movement of suspected Lakurawa Terrorist Group (LTG) elements.
“A police tactical team were immediately mobilized to the scene. Upon sighting security forces, the bandits were overpowered by the superior firepower which made them to abandoned the rustled cattle near Zamoriya Village and fled. A total of twenty-seven (27) cows were recovered.
“Two individuals have been preliminarily identified as owners.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the Lakurawa Terrorist Group, armed with sophisticated weapons, raided Gumki and Zeringo-Gande Villages on 27th and 28th April 2026, respectively. Owners will be thoroughly verified before release.
“The Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Cp Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, psc, mnips commended the gallantry, vigilance, and professionalism of all operatives involved in the three operations.
“He reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to combating armed banditry, cattle rustling, terrorism, and illegal arms proliferation across the state.
“These successive breakthroughs underscore the importance of timely intelligence and robust community-police collaboration. We will not relent until every criminal element is neutralized or brought to justice,” the Commissioner stated.
“Members of the public, particularly residents of Tangaza, Gidan Madi, Silame, Wamakko, and Kware LGAs, are enjoined to continue providing actionable information to the police and to report any persons suspected of illegal firearm possession or banditry-related activities.”
