Police raid bandits’ hideout, rescue two in Sokoto

The rescued victims. Photo credit: Police

The Sokoto State Police Command has rescued two kidnapped victims after a fierce gun battle with suspected bandits during a clearance operation in Yabo Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, conducted in the early hours of Sunday, November 8, involved a joint team of operatives from the 7 Police Mobile Force, Violent Crime Response Unit, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Yabo Police Division.

The command said the operation was launched following credible intelligence about the presence of armed bandits and their captives at Dan Tafki village and surrounding hills opposite Binji Musa in Yabo LGA.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, the security operatives came under heavy gunfire upon storming the suspected hideout, triggering a fierce gun duel that lasted several hours.

He said the operatives eventually overwhelmed the bandits with superior firepower and coordinated tactical operations, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon their captives.

“Unable to withstand the sustained pressure from the team, the bandits fled the scene in disarray, abandoning their captives and leaving behind their hideout.

“Two hostages were subsequently rescued unharmed from the scene of the operation,” the statement said.

The rescued victims were identified as Nafisa Abubakar, a female resident of Dono village, and Aminu Sahabi, a male resident of the same community.

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The police said the victims were immediately evacuated to a hospital, where they were receiving medical attention and psychological support.

It added that the joint security team also destroyed several structures used by the bandits as hideouts, including silos, during the operation.

Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commended the operatives for their professionalism, bravery and coordination.

Shaffa reiterated the command’s commitment to sustaining clearance operations against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.

He assured residents that security agencies would intensify intelligence-driven operations to dismantle criminal networks and protect lives and property.

The command further disclosed that a follow-up operation had commenced to track down the fleeing bandits and destroy any remaining criminal infrastructure in the area.

It urged residents, community leaders and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects.

The police also advised members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security formation.