From ANENE AIKE, Sokoto
Sokoto State Police Command has neutralised one notorious terrorist kingpin, arrested 15 kidnappers and banditry suspects.
Other notorious criminal elements handed the state’s Police boss include gun runners in separate operations across the state between November 2023 and February 2024.
The command carried out successful operations in communities across Gwadabawa, Wurno, Wammakko and Bodinga -Tambuwal road in the state where 2 Toyota brand vehicles were also recovered.
Briefing newsmen while parading the suspects including two underaged, Sirajo and Sanda of Binji Local Government respectively, the state Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Hayatu Kaigama, said the suspects of which one was neutralised, were arrested in four separately coordinated operations by the command team of Anti -kidnap and Terrorism Unit upon tip offs.
The commissioner also proudly stated that it was through the Command’s credible intelligence, an ambush it laid along Bodinga –Tambuwal highway that led to the arrest of the suspects.
Kaigama disclosed that several arms and ammunition, including GPMG, Cartridges , several rounds of live ammunition, AK-47 rifles and handsets were recovered from the suspects who specialised in carrying heinous crimes in the state.
He also stated that the Command recovered in their possession, three AK47 rifles with 90 rounds of live ammunition, 30 from each magazine. In addition, he said that the suspects were said to be heading to Tambuwal town for a kidnap mission before they were intercepted and arrested.
Similarly, additional 26 rounds of live ammunition was found in possession of one Muhammad Bello of Dingyadi town in Bodinga Local Government.
The Police boss disclosed that its team of operatives gallantly engaged the suspected bandits in their numbers in a fierce gun duel and succeeded in neutralizing one of the suspected bandits who were passing in their numbers. They also shot the leg of one Ibrahim Bello, member of the gang who was fetching water from a well in Gigane village, Gwadabawa Local Government Area.
He also boasted that the neutralised suspect’s GPMG rifle with six live ammunition attached to the chain, was recovered as it aggressively traced and arrested other fleeing bandits members.
Similarly, Kaigama confirmed the arrest of two suspected gun runners and suppliers, Muhammadu Mode and Betuwa Dogari all of Bukuyum LGA Zamfara State.
The CP said the duo were billed for Sokoto to receive delivery of 790 live ammunition for on onward delivery of same to a well known Kidnap kingpin, Kwalle when the operatives from the Sokoto state CID intercepted them along Gaidau Illela Road in Illela LGA.
That Kwalle who is now at large, has his criminal activities cut across Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States respectively.
The Commissioner added that the command remains resolute and determined to continue being sensitive and proactive upon every useful intelligence in order to rid the state of crime and criminals.
Kaigama also vowed to ensure proper and in depth investigations were carried out on all the cases accordingly, adding that while investigation is still ongoing, the command wishes to assure members of the public of its commitment to rid Sokoto of criminality in all its manifestation.
