Police arrest drug suspect, foil bandit attack, recover stolen livestock in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command says it has recorded major successes in its fight against drug trafficking and banditry, arresting a suspected drug dealer, seizing a large quantity of illicit drugs, and recovering animals stolen by bandits.

Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said officers from the Bado Division stopped two men riding an unregistered motorcycle along the Kebbi–Sokoto Road on May 27.

The suspects, identified as Ummaru Abubakar Gugare and another man known simply as Ummaru, were searched during a routine operation.

According to the police, officers found a sack containing substances suspected to be cannabis, as well as several containers filled with controlled drugs, including Axzol, Benthexol and D5 tablets.

Gugare was arrested at the scene, while the second suspect escaped. Police said efforts are ongoing to track him down.

In a separate operation on May 30, the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit responded to reports of an attack by armed bandits on Zabori, Tambaranga and Gidan Yero communities in Wamakko Local Government Area.

The security operatives reportedly blocked the attackers’ escape route near Abdalo Forest in Gwadabawa Local Government Area, leading to a gunfight. Police said the bandits fled into the forest after being overpowered, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

One suspect, Musa Usman from Damba Village in Illela Local Government Area, was arrested during the operation.

The police also recovered 11 cows and five sheep believed to have been stolen by the criminals. The animals are being kept until they can be returned to their owners.

Reacting to the operations, Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, described the achievements as “significant blows to criminal cartels operating in our state, whether drug barons or armed bandits.”

He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful information, saying, “together, we will dismantle every criminal network threatening our peace and security.”

The police said investigations are ongoing and efforts have been intensified to arrest other suspects who escaped during the operations.