Police Arrest 3 SUSPECTED Bandit Financiers, Motorcycle Thieves

Three suspects linked to bandits activities have been arrested in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto State.

They are in custody of the state police command, for aiding the sales of rustled castles and dealings with suspected bandits.

The state police command public relations officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, who revealed this, said “the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) struck at the logistics heart of banditry, in an intelligence-driven operation within the command.

“Acting on credible intelligence, operatives conducted a targeted operation in the Tangaza local government area of Sokoto state on December 3, 2025, at about 1400 hours. The operation led to the arrest of one Ruwa Ginyo, identified as the Fulani Head of Gidan-Madi, and two other accomplices.

“Investigations reveal that the three suspects allegedly function as brokers and financiers for a notorious bandit group.

“Their primary role was to receive rustled cattle, facilitate their sale in markets, and remit the proceeds to the armed elements.

“At the point of arrest, four rustled cows were recovered from the suspects as they attempted to sell them. The suspects have confessed to the crime, and investigation is ongoing,” he said.

He further revealed that in demonstrating inter-command collaboration, a Strike Force team from the Sokoto State Police Command conducted a targeted investigation in the Talata Mafara local government area of Zamfara State on the same date at about 1700 hours.

“The operation targeted a criminal network involved in theft and receipt of stolen property, leading to the arrest of several individuals suspected of Criminal Conspiracy, Theft of Motorcycles, and Receiving Stolen Property.

“During this cross-border operation, two suspected stolen motorcycles were recovered. All suspects are in custody, with investigations aimed at dismantling the wider syndicate,” DSP Rufai stated.