Police parades 15 suspects for banditry, kidnapping, others in Sokoto

Gbolahan Salman Sokoto

The Nigerian Police Force, Sokoto State command on Thursday at the command headquarters in Sokoto paraded 15 suspects for various criminal offence ranging from banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling among others.

Briefing newsmen while parading the suspects, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ali Kaigama, said the suspects were arrested in various spots within the state.

According to the CP, “The sokoto State Police Command has successfully foiled a kidnapping attempt at Gigani Village of Gwadabawa LGA, on 14/02/2024 at about 1600hrs.

“Suspected bandits in their numbers while passing at the outskirts of Gigani Village of Gwadabawa LGA Shot One Ibrahim Bello 23yrs on his Left Leg while fetching water from a well, on receipt of the report, a team of Operation Restore Peace and Vigilantee responded to the scene.

“The team gallantly engaged the suspected bandits in a fierce Gun Duel and succeeded in neutralizing one of them and his GPMG Rifle with Six Live Ammunition attached to the chain was recovered.

“Meanwhile aggressive effort still ongoing to trace and arrest other fleeing members.

“Police Operatives of the command attached to Anti-Kidnapping Unit led by one SP Salisu Garba in continued fight against crime and criminality in the state, on 13/02/2024 at about 2030hrs acted on credible intelligence laid ambush along Bodinga –Tambuwal high way arrested the following suspects.

“Abdullahi Ali 50yrs ‘M’ of Gwagabawa LGA,

Aliyu Mohammed 35yrs ‘M’ of Achida Wurno LGA, Abdullahi Umar 63yrs ‘M’ of Achida Wurno LGA , Aliyu Abdullahi 28yrs ‘M’ of Hammali Kware LGA, Muhammad Anas 30yrs ‘M’ of Shuni Dange-Shuni LGA,

Muhammad Bello 50yrs ‘M’ of Dingyadi Bodinga LGA

Others arrested includes Jamilu B. Yusuf AKA Doctor 35yrs ‘M’ of Badon Hanya Sokoto, Nasiru Ibrahim AKA Baban Sisi 27yrs ‘M’ of Kware LGA and Sani Aliyu 45yrs ‘M’ of Kandama Wurno LGA who use to be their alleged Drivers when going out for their criminal activities, in possession of three Ak47 Rifles with Ninety Rounds of Live Ammunition 30 from each magazine.”

He said preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects were heading to Tambuwal Town for a kidnapping mission, with additional 26 Rounds of Live Ammunition was found in the possession of the said Muhammad Bello.

He further said on 24/12/2023, One Alhaji Shehu Dangaladima, Village Head Gedawa Village in Wamakko LGA Sokoto, reported at Wamakko Police Station, that on same date at about 0000hrs unknown gunmen invaded his village and kidnapped three persons.

Those kidnapped according to him includes Harande Gidado, Alhaji Buba Zaria and Alhaji Manuga Kwaire all Male of Wamakko LGA Sokoto to unknown destination. Victims regain freedom after paying ransom of (N10,000,000,00) each.

The CP however said, ” in continuation of investigation, four persons which includes Surajo Rugga, Sanda Bube, Umaru Jemmu and Faruku Usman all ‘M’ of Baliyo Village in Binji LGA Sokoto were arrested.

During interrogation, Three out of the Four Suspects confessed to have conspired with others (now at large) to pretreated the crime and will soon be arraign for prosecution.

“In another development, on 02/02/2024, at about 0000hrs a team of anti-kidnapping operatives attached to State CID Sokoto, on a tip Off arrested One Muhammadu Mode and Betuwa Dogari all ‘M’ of Bukuyum LGA Zamfara State who were sent to come to sokoto and receive delivery of Seven Hundred and Ninety (790) Rounds of 7.62MM AK47 Live Ammunition which was promptly recovered on 28/11/2023 by the Operatives along Gaidau Illela Road in Illela LGA Sokoto.

“The items recovered was expected to deliver to a well known kingpin of Kidnappers named Kwalle M (Now at large) whose criminal activities cut across Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States respectively”

While maintaining that investigation is still ongoing, on above cases the Command wishes to assure members of the public of its commitment to rid sokoto of criminality in all its manifestation.

“I equally urges residents to report suspicious activities through the following Emergency Line; 07068848035” he added