The Sokoto State Police Command says it rescued several kidnapped victims, recovered 689 rustled domestic animals and arrested suspected kidnappers, bandits and collaborators in a series of security operations conducted between May and July.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, disclosed this on Thursday in Sokoto during a press briefing on the command’s operational achievements and proactive security measures.
CP Shaffa said the operations, carried out across several local government areas, were aimed at tackling banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other violent crimes.
He said police operatives foiled multiple bandit attacks, rescued kidnapped victims unharmed and recovered 689 rustled animals, all of which were returned to their rightful owners.
According to him, tactical teams also neutralised four suspected bandits during separate encounters in Bodinga and Wamakko Local Government Areas, recovering two AK-47 rifles, magazines and live ammunition.
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The police commissioner said the command arrested several suspected kidnappers, cattle rustlers, bandit informants and collaborators, including a suspected fuel supplier to the Lakurawa terrorist group.
He added that investigations had led to the prosecution of a number of suspects, while others remained under investigation.
CP Shaffa also 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 and the motorcycles had since been returned to their owners.
On traffic enforcement, the commissioner said the command had intensified implementation of the Inspector-General of Police’s directive against vehicles without registration plates or with concealed number plates.
He said that between June 16 and July 16, the police impounded 105 vehicles and prosecuted 96 offenders for violating the National Road Traffic Regulations and the Road Traffic Act.
CP Shaffa urged residents to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information, stressing that effective policing required active community participation.
The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the command’s commitment to intelligence-led and community-oriented policing to ensure the protection of lives and property across the state.
