The Sokoto State police command says it repelled a large group of armed bandits on Friday, killing scores of bandits and recovered ammunition and motorcycles.

A statement on Friday by Ahmad Rufa’i, the command’s spokesman, said the killing of bandits was a combined team of police operatives and military officers.

He stated that no casualties were recorded on the side of the security forces or villagers.

“At about 04:00 hrs, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rabah acted on credible intelligence that a large number of armed bandits, wielding sophisticated weapons, were moving towards Maikujura Village with rustled animals en route to their camp in the notorious Gundumi Forest,” he said.

Mr Rufa’i explained that the police tactical team were mobilized to the scene, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with the military forward operating base. 

He stated that the joint security team strategically blocked the bandits’ route, leading to a gunfight.

“The criminals were engaged with superior firepower and tactical maneuvering, which overwhelmed them and forced them to retreat into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds.

“Following the engagement, a thorough combing of the bushes led to the recovery of many bodies of  bandits and about 15 motorcycles of the said  bandits were recovered,” Mr Rufa’i disclosed. 

According to him, exhibits such as two AK-47 rifles (breech numbers yet to be registered as taken by military), fifty-two rounds of live ammunition and sixty-two rustled animals were recovered.

He noted that the owners of the recovered livestock have been identified and will be handed over to them.

“All neighbouring police divisions have been placed on high alert and directed to be on the lookout for any injured hoodlums sighted in their areas. 

“The security situation in Rabah and the Maikujura general area remains calm and stable, with joint security teams maintaining a strong presence to prevent further attacks,” he added.