Police Repel Bandits’ Attack In Sokoto, Recover 25 Cattle

The Police Command Violence Crime Response Unit and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in collaboration with other security agencies, has repelled a bandit attack on Imasa Matankari village, a Sokoto remote hamlet bordering Zamfara State within Tureta local government area.

The effort led to the recovery of 25 cattle rustled, the command’s spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai, said.

He added, in a statement, that the police responded swiftly to a distress call by the locals.

The statement read in part, “On June 2, 2026, at about 14:00 hours, a distress call was received that a large number of armed bandits had invaded Imasa Matankari village. The assailants fired sporadically and rustled 25 cows belonging to local villagers.

Upon receipt of the information,  OC VCRU, who was on heightened alert, immediately mobilised combined teams from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and personnel from the Army Forward Operating Base (FOB). Security forces quickly blocked all exit routes from the village and engaged the bandits in a sustained gun duel.

“After a fierce exchange, the operatives overpowered the hoodlums, forcing them to flee through the nearby Kuruwa Forest. In their hasty retreat, the bandits abandoned all the stolen animals. All 25 rustled cows were recovered in full and have since been returned to their rightful owners.

Security forces have maintained an active vigilance posture in the area and are continuing search operations to apprehend the fleeing suspects”.

In his appeal to the public, the CP urged them to remain calm and continue providing timely information to security agencies to aid the fight against banditry and kidnapping.