The Sokoto State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against drug trafficking and banditry, arresting a suspected drug baron, recovering a large cache of hard drugs, and foiling a bandit attack that led to the recovery of rustled livestock.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the state’s Command Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, the first operation took place on May 27, 2026, when officers attached to the Bado Division intercepted two suspects during a routine stop-and-search operation along the Kebbi-Sokoto Road.

The suspects, identified as Ummaru Abubakar Gugare and another suspect simply identified as Ummaru, both from Bagarawa in Bodinga Local Government Area, were riding an unregistered Daylong motorcycle when they were stopped by police operatives.

Police said a search conducted on the suspects led to the discovery of a sack containing a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, alongside 10 rubber containers loaded with Axzol Tab, Benthexol Tablets B.P 5mg and a large quantity of D5 tablets, all classified as controlled hard drugs.

While Gugare was arrested at the scene, the second suspect reportedly escaped and remains at large. The recovered exhibits have been taken into police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

In a separate operation on May 30, 2026, the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit successfully repelled a bandit attack on Zabori, Tambaranga and Gidan Yero villages in Wamakko Local Government Area.

The operation followed a distress call reporting the invasion of the communities by heavily armed bandits.

Police operatives swiftly mobilized and strategically blocked the bandits’ escape route at Abdalo Forest in Gwadabawa Local Government Area, leading to a fierce gun battle.

According to the police, the bandits were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security team and fled into a nearby forest, with several reportedly sustaining gunshot wounds.

One suspect, identified as Musa Usman of Damba Village in Illela Local Government Area, was arrested during the operation.

The police also recovered 11 cows and five sheep believed to have been rustled by the criminals. The livestock have been taken into custody pending identification and return to their rightful owners.

Commenting on the successes, the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, praised the professionalism and bravery of officers involved in the operations.

“These successes are significant blows to criminal cartels operating in our state, whether drug barons or armed bandits.

However, the fight against drug abuse, trafficking, banditry and cattle rustling requires collective effort,” the Commissioner said.

He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information.

“I call on the good people of the Caliphate to continue supporting the Police with credible, timely and actionable intelligence. Citizens are urged to report any information on the fleeing suspect from the drug operation, or any person with fresh bullet wounds or suspicious livestock transactions. Together, we will dismantle every criminal network threatening our peace and security,” he added.

The police commissioner also commended the vigilance of the Bado Division patrol team and the gallantry displayed by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities across the state.

Both cases are currently under investigation, while efforts have been intensified to track down other suspects who escaped during the operations. (The PUNCH)

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