Police urge Sokoto residents to remain vigilant
By Muhammad Nasir
The Police Command in Sokoto State has called on residents to remain vigilant, security-conscious and cooperative in efforts to safeguard lives and property across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Hayatu Shaffa, made the appeal while addressing journalists on Friday in Sokoto, highlighting the current security situation and recent operational successes of the command.
Shaffa emphasised that public support remains a critical force multiplier in the collective effort to maintain peace, stability and law and order.
“Let me assure you that the Command will not relent in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while upholding the rule of law,” he said.
He urged residents to provide credible, timely and actionable intelligence, assuring them that their identities would be protected.
Providing updates on recent operations, the police commissioner said a joint tactical team, in collaboration with the military and other security agencies, repelled a bandit attack on April 8 in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
He explained that the team responded to a distress call from Kwarengamba and Gayya da Kwari villages, near the Niger Republic border, where armed bandits had launched an attack.
“The bandits were overpowered during a fierce gun duel and fled with gunshot wounds into the bush.
“A sack containing 167 rounds of live ammunition was recovered at the scene,” Shaffa said.
He further disclosed that on April 15, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit arrested three suspects during coordinated raids in Tambuwal, Kware and Goronyo local government areas.
“Items recovered from the suspects included seven locally made Dane guns, an AK-47 magazine, military uniform, cutlasses, hard drugs and substances suspected to be Indian hemp. The suspects have since been charged to court,” he stated.
In another operation on April 17, the police, acting on intelligence, arrested a suspect, Aminu Mai-Roba of Binji LGA, found in possession of four stolen cows.
According to Shaffa, the suspect confessed to receiving the cattle from the Lakurawa terrorist group operating in Tangaza LGA, with instructions to sell them and remit the proceeds.
The commissioner stated that the achievements reflect the professionalism and dedication of officers, as well as strengthened collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities, stating that the police would continue to enhance intelligence gathering, strategic deployment and community policing efforts.
