By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Villagers in Tamba Garka, Wurno local government area of Sokoto state have mobilised themselves and chased after a group of bandits leading to the arrest of one of them, Jabbi Alhaji Wanto and rescued two female kidnapped victims , Hussaina Bairu ‘f’ aged 20 years and Farida Jamilu ‘f’ aged 18yrs who were taken to an unknown destination by their captors.
The bandits were said to have invaded their homes and kidnapped the two victims which the villagers mobilised to go after them to rescue the duo where they also arrested one of the suspected attackers who is in custody of the police.
This is sequel to Sokoto police command’s confirmation of the arrest of no fewer than 17 bandits, kidnappers, and armed robbers terrorising and killing residents across Wurno, Rabah, Bodinga and Tangaza local governments areas of Sokoto state.
However, those in connection with the various crimes were arrested as follows : Abubakar Altine was arrested in Bodinga, Abdullahi Mode in Tangaza, Abubakar Yusuf in Goronyo, Umaru Mohammadu Buda and Bello Ardo in Rabah local government areas respectively .
Others at large include: Dogo Buzu, Dari and Umaru .
Also arrested were a number of suspected syndicate of hand set snatchers including various others involved in criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide offences.
The command also recovered 2 AK47 rifles, two Magazines and four rounds of live ammunition at the separate arrests made.
Parading the suspects arrested between February 14 , 2021and March 18, 2021 at the State police command headquarters Thursday, Commissioner of Police, Mr Kamaldeen Kola Okunlola said some bandits attacked Saketa village in Bodinga local government and killed one Maga ‘m’ and kidnapped two others , Mairamu Umaru, 65 years and Zara’u Mansur, 18 years to unknown destination after robbing the residents of their items.
” The Goronyo Division of the police got a report against one Abubakar Yusuf of Gawo billage in Wurno who criminally threatened via phone call to kill or kidnap his potential victim who happened to be a family member of one Shamsu of Sabon Gari village who reported the case.
” Similarly, in Tangaza, Mohammed Sani ‘m’ of Gandabar Yamma Tangaza Gidan Madi LGA, went to Gidan Madi Division and reported that on same date at about 0200hrs unknown bandits numbering about three invaded his house, ransacked the room, beat him up and dispossessed him of the sum of five hundred thousand naira (500,000.00k)”, the Commissioner said.
Hitherto, Okunlola confirmed that in Rabah one Yusuf Muhammed ‘m’ of Gidan Buwai village, Rabah LGA Sokoto, reported that on 14/02/2021 at about 0300hrs, a group of armed bandits in their numbers invaded Gidan Buwai village Rabah LGA.
” In reprisal , the villagers and police officers attacked the bandits and killed three of the bandits and recovered one AK47 rifle with four rounds of live ammunition. The rifle was handed over to Police. Two suspects namely Umaru Muhammadu Buda and Bello Ardo Bameri were arrested in connection of the crime. Case is under investigation.”
Accordingly , the command said it had rounded up 8 member syndicate of handset snatchers namely who visited Sokoto from Kano, Niger and Bauchi states respectively to carry out their criminal activities during the just concluded religious gathering in the state by the Tijjaniyya sect.
” Those arrested include Sadiq Ibrahim, Kabiru Muhammad, Usman Rabi’u, Sani Muhammad and Adamu Usman
Also are : Abdul Adam , Ibrahim Adamu and Auwalu Ibrahim all ‘m’ of Kano, Niger and Bauchi States respectively.
Okunlola explained that ” they were arrested at the Shehu Kangiwa Square venue of the 2021 Maulud celebration and other part of Sokoto metropolis in possession of twenty four (24) different types of handsets, belief to be snatched from some unsuspecting members of the public that came for the celebration.
While explaining that all the cases were under investigation and upon completion, the suspects would be charged to court accordingly, Okunlola said ” We are determined to ensure sustainable and indeed improvement on the security situation in the State, there is ongoing joint operation with all other security agencies to curb these menace.
” I also wish to appeal for the maximum support of all and sundry to security agencies in the State . We cannot do it alone. People must not neglect what is happening around them. We need credible information on the activities of these blood sucking elements to enable the police serve the public better.”
However, the breakthrough is coming three weeks after the new Police Commissioner resumed duty in the state.
