Police take fight to bandits’ enclave in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped residents after security operatives engaged suspected bandits in a gun battle during an operation in Yabo Local Government Area.

The operation took place in the early hours of Sunday, November 8, following intelligence reports about armed criminals holding captives at Dan Tafki village and nearby hills opposite Binji Musa in the area.

The operation involved officers from the 7 Police Mobile Force, Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Yabo Police Division.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, explaining that the officers came under heavy gunfire shortly after arriving at the suspected hideout.

He said the exchange of gunfire lasted several hours before the security team overpowered the suspected bandits through superior firepower and coordinated operations.

According to him, the attackers eventually fled, abandoning their hideout and the people they had kidnapped.

“Unable to withstand the sustained pressure from the team, the bandits fled the scene in disarray, abandoning their captives and leaving behind their hideout.

“Two hostages were subsequently rescued unharmed from the scene of the operation,” the statement said.

The rescued victims were identified as Nafisa Abubakar and Aminu Sahabi, both residents of Dono village.

The police said they were taken to a hospital for medical treatment and psychological support.

During the operation, the joint security team also destroyed several structures used by the suspected criminals as shelters, including silos.

The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, praised the officers for their courage, professionalism and teamwork during the operation.

He assured residents that the command would continue its efforts to tackle kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities across the state.

Shaffa also said security operatives had launched another operation to locate the fleeing suspects and destroy any remaining facilities used by the criminal group.

The police called on residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to support security agencies by providing useful information that could help track down and arrest the suspects.

They also urged members of the public to stay alert and report suspicious activities to the nearest security formation.