The Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto State arrested two men suspected of supplying logistics and money to bandits, and recovered nearly 100 animals in a series of operations last month.
Yahaya Kurma and Musa Lawali, both from Kurya Village in Rabah Local Government Area, were picked up on May 15 by officers from Unguwar Rogo Division working with the Anti-Kidnapping Unit. Police said the two had been under watch for allegedly bankrolling and supplying bandit groups across Rabah, Kware and Wurno local government areas. DSP Ahmad Rufa'i, the Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrests and said investigations were still running.
In a second operation on May 14, security forces stopped a bandit raid on Gimba Village in Binji Local Government Area and recovered 78 rustled cows. The attackers had stormed the village firing guns before making off with the livestock, but police operatives and soldiers from a nearby Army Forward Operating Base chased them down in a gunfight. The bandits abandoned the animals and fled. The police said the cattle would be returned to their owners.
A third operation in Kware Local Government Area turned up 19 stolen sheep recovered in the More area after police tracked footprints to Badageni Village. Three suspects, Ibrahim Aliyu, Rabiatu Ibrahim and Aisha Ibrahim, were arrested in the case. Two others escaped, and police said they were still being hunted.
Sokoto State Police Commissioner Hayatu Shaffa said the force would keep pushing hard against banditry and other violent crime across the state. No timeline was given for when the remaining suspects would be apprehended or when investigations into Kurma and Lawali would be completed.
