Sokoto: Police dismantle counterfeit ring and rescue kidnapped children

The Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto State has detained four individuals suspected of belonging to a counterfeiting syndicate connected with the infamous “Sai Mallam” cult group.

The arrest was announced in a statement released on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i.

DSP Rufa’i explained that the Command’s Strike Force Unit carried out an intelligence‑driven raid on May 19 in the Mana area of Sokoto city after receiving credible information from a local resident.

The raid targeted a house believed to belong to Yusufa Auditor, who remains at large.

The arrested men are Saifullahi Aminu of Dallatu Road, Ahmad Sarkin Aski of Mana area, Muhammadu Lawali (also known as Gunda) from Dange Shuni LGA, and Usama Muhammad (alias Na’Ukada).

Police recovered a range of counterfeit items, including fake CFA francs, counterfeit U.S. dollars and naira notes, charms, fake gold stones, SIM cards, ATM cards, and a “magic box” allegedly used in the production of fake currency.

According to the statement, the suspects admitted to collaborating with another fugitive, Yanusa S. Aski, to defraud victims through fake money‑doubling schemes.

In a separate operation on May 20, officers attached to Binji Police Station, working with the Army Forward Operating Base, thwarted a bandit attack on Jareedi village in Binji Local Government Area.

The attackers reportedly stormed the community at night, firing sporadically and abducting two residents: Umar Faruku (30) and Husa Abdullahi (52).

Tactical teams engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest and abandon the victims.

One of the rescued individuals suffered a minor leg injury, received treatment at a hospital, and was subsequently discharged.

Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, praised the operatives for their rapid response and urged residents to continue providing useful intelligence to security agencies.

He assured that the command would intensify efforts against cultism, kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities throughout the state.