Police arrest suspected drug baron, foil bandit attack in Sokoto

Sokoto State Police Command has arrested a suspected drug dealer and recovered a large quantity of suspected hard drugs during an operation in the state.

The Command also foiled a bandit attack and recovered rustled livestock in separate security operations.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the drug suspect was arrested on May 27 during a stop-and-search operation along the Kebbi-Sokoto Road by operatives attached to the Bado Division.

According to the statement, the suspect, identified as Ummaru Abubakar Gugare, was intercepted while riding an unregistered motorcycle alongside another suspect who escaped during the operation.

Police said a search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of a sack containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp, as well as quantities of Axzol, Benthexol and D5 tablets classified as controlled drugs.

The recovered exhibits were taken into police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

In a separate operation on May 30, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit foiled a bandit attack on Zabori, Tambaranga and Gidan Yero villages in Wamakko Local Government Area.

The operation followed a distress call reporting the invasion of the communities by armed bandits.

Police said the operatives blocked the suspects’ escape route around Abdalo Forest in Gwadabawa Local Government Area, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

According to the statement, the bandits fled into the forest after being overpowered by security operatives, with some reportedly sustaining gunshot wounds.

One suspect, identified as Musa Usman of Damba Village in Illela Local Government Area, was arrested during the operation.

The police also recovered 11 cows and five sheep believed to have been rustled by the suspects.

The livestock have been taken into custody pending identification and return to their owners.

The command said investigations into both cases were ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend other suspects linked to the crimes.