Sokoto police rescue kidnap victims, recover 689 rustled animals

The Sokoto State Police Command has announced a series of operational successes in its ongoing fight against banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. Commissioner of Police Hayatu Hassan Shaffa detailed achievements from May to mid-July 2026 during a press briefing.

Coordinated security operations across several local government areas, including Tangaza, Wamakko, Tureta, and Bodinga, have frustrated bandit attacks. These efforts resulted in the recovery of 689 rustled domestic animals. Shaffa highlighted that these operations aimed to checkmate armed bandits and cattle rustling.

“

In a bid to checkmate armed bandits, cattle rustling and other violent crimes, the Command rescued a total of 689 domestic animals across the state through coordinated operations that foiled multiple bandit attacks and led to the recovery of rustled livestock.

In addition to livestock recovery, police rescued six kidnapped travellers along the Rabah-Maikujera road after engaging abductors in a gun battle. Another two kidnap victims were freed during an operation in Jaredi village, Binji Local Government Area. All rescued victims were unharmed and reunited with their families.

“

According to him, all the victims were rescued unharmed and have been reunited with their families.

The command also reported arrests of several suspected bandits and their collaborators. Intelligence-led operations led to the apprehension of three suspects who allegedly confessed to carrying out kidnappings in multiple local government areas. Informants and suspected collaborators, including a man accused of sending threats while posing as a bandit, were also arrested.

Shaffa further reported that three bandits were neutralised during an attack on Bodinga in June, with an AK-47 rifle and ammunition recovered. Another suspected bandit was killed in a gun battle in Daraye village, Wamakko Local Government Area, where additional firearms and ammunition were seized. The police also noted breakthroughs in combating drug trafficking and motorcycle theft.

“

The police commissioner also disclosed that officers rescued six kidnapped travellers along the Rabah-Maikujera road after engaging the abductors in a gun battle, while two more kidnap victims were freed during an operation in Jaredi village, Binji Local Government Area.