Police arrest bandit informants, financiers in Sokoto

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto State have arrested suspected informants and financiers linked to bandit groups, recording a series of operational gains in recent weeks.

The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday, highlighting intelligence-led operations carried out by the command.

He said on April 17, officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested one Aminu Mai Roba in Binji Local Government Area after trailing him along the Ruwa-Wuri–Tangaza Road.

According to Shaffa, the suspect was found in possession of four cows and later confessed to receiving the livestock from a terrorist group operating in the area, with instructions to sell them and remit the proceeds.

The recovered cattle have been secured as exhibits, while investigations are ongoing to uncover the wider network.

The police commissioner also outlined other recent operations, including a joint security response to an attack by armed bandits on communities in Sabon-Birni Local Government Area near the Niger Republic border.

He said police tactical teams, working alongside the military, local vigilantes, and community guards, engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to retreat with injuries.

During the pursuit, security operatives recovered a sack containing 167 rounds of live ammunition abandoned by the fleeing suspects.

Shaffa said the operations reflect the command’s renewed focus on intelligence gathering, inter-agency collaboration, and proactive policing, in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information.