Sokoto Police Nab Suspected Lakurawa Informants, Bandits’ Financiers

The operatives of the Sokoto State Police Command, on Friday, said it has arrested some suspected bandits’ informants and terrorism financiers, just as they recorded several operational achievements.

Speaking during a press briefing , the Commissioner of Police (CP), Alhaji Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, disclosed that on April 17, 2026, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, trailed and arrested one Aminu Mai Roba of Maikulki Village, Binji Local Government Area.

According to Shaffa, the suspect was intercepted along the Ruwa-Wuri–Tangaza Road in possession of four cows.

He added, “During interrogation, the suspect confessed to receiving the animals from the Lakurawa terrorist group at Wariya Village, Tangaza LGA.

“His role was to sell the cattle and return the proceeds to the terrorist network. The recovered cows have been registered as exhibits, and the case is currently under further investigation.”

Shaffa said the engagement formed part of their strategic communication framework aimed at fostering transparency, strengthening public confidence, and reinforcing the symbiotic relationship between the Police and the citizenry.

“The Command, under my stewardship, remains firmly committed to its constitutional mandate: the protection of lives and property, the prevention and detection of crime, and the maintenance of law and public order.

“In strict compliance with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on professional conduct, discipline, illegal detention, shabby dressing, wearing of beards, and the raiding of all potential criminal hideouts, this Command has recalibrated its internal enforcement mechanism.

“Since I assumed my assumption of duty, the Command has recorded significant operational breakthroughs against violent crimes.

“These achievements are not only indicative of the professionalism, vigilance, and gallantry of our officers, but have been further strengthened by the IGP’s vision in restructuring the Force.

“They also strengthen the bond of relationship and collaborative engagement among sister security agencies, vigilante groups, and other critical stakeholders in the state.”

Shaffa listed other achievements recorded in the past month, saying that on April 8, at about 0420hrs, police attached to Sabon-Birni received a distress call reporting that a large number of armed bandits, bearing sophisticated weapons, had attacked Kwarengamba and Gayya da Kwari villages in Sabon-Birni LGA, which borders the Republic of Niger.

“Our Police Tactical Team, in conjunction with the Military, Community Guard Watch, and local vigilantes, mobilised immediately to the scene.

“The joint force routed the bandits and engaged them in a fierce gun duel. The bandits were overpowered and fled with bullet wounds into the nearby bush.

“During the pursuit, they abandoned a sack containing 167 rounds of live ammunition, which has since been recovered and registered as an exhibit,” he added.