Police arrest suspected bandit informants and recover livestock in Sokoto

The Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto State has detained two individuals suspected of acting as informants for bandit groups and has recovered stolen livestock in separate operations across the state.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ahmad Rufa’i confirmed the arrests and recoveries in a statement released on Saturday.

Yahaya Kurma and Musa Lawali, both residents of Kurya Village in Rabah Local Government Area, were taken into custody on May 15 by officers from the Unguwar Rogo Division working in partnership with the Anti‑Kidnapping Unit.

According to police, the suspects had been on an intelligence watchlist because of alleged involvement in providing logistics and financial support to bandit groups operating in Rabah, Kware and Wurno LGAs.

Rufa’i said investigations into the matter are still underway.

In a separate operation, security forces prevented a bandit attack in Gimba Village, Binji Local Government Area, and recovered 78 stolen cows.

The attackers reportedly entered the community on May 14, firing sporadically before stealing the livestock.

Police said that, in cooperation with an Army Forward Operating Base, operatives engaged the bandits in a gunfight, forcing them to flee and abandon the stolen animals.

The recovered cattle will be returned to their rightful owners.

In another incident, police patrol teams retrieved 19 stolen sheep in the More area after following footprints to Badageni Village in Kware Local Government Area.

Three suspects—Ibrahim Aliyu, Rabiatu Ibrahim and Aisha Ibrahim—were arrested in connection with the theft.

Police also reported that two other suspects fled the scene and that efforts to apprehend them are ongoing.

Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Hayatu Shaffa, reiterated the command’s commitment to combating banditry and other violent crimes in the state.