The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested three suspected financiers of banditry and several other individuals linked to motorcycle theft and criminal conspiracy, following two coordinated operations that also led to the recovery of rustled cattle and stolen motorcycles.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, announced the breakthrough in a statement issued yesterday in Sokoto, saying the operations underscored the command’s strengthened operational efficiency.
According to him, the first raid was conducted on Wednesday by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) after credible intelligence pointed to suspicious activities in Tangaza Local Government Area.
He said operatives arrested one Ruwa Ginyo of Gidan-Madi and two others believed to be major brokers and financiers of a notorious bandit network.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects allegedly received rustled cattle from armed bandits, sold them in markets, and remitted the proceeds to the criminals,” Rufai stated.
He added that the suspects had confessed, and four rustled cows were recovered at the point of arrest as they attempted to dispose of the animals.
In a separate operation in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Rufai said police investigators tracked and apprehended multiple suspects involved in criminal conspiracy, motorcycle theft and receiving stolen property.
“During the cross-border operation, two suspected stolen motorcycles were recovered, with preliminary investigations linking the items to an ongoing case in Sokoto.
“All suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to dismantle the wider syndicate,” he said.
Rufai added that Commissioner of Police Ahmed Musa lauded the operatives for their diligence, professionalism and consistent responsiveness in both intra- and inter-state assignments.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and support the command with credible and timely information, assuring that all details shared would be handled with utmost confidentiality.