The Sokoto State Police Command have thwarted a bandit attack in Tangaza Local Government Area, recovered 11 stolen cattle and arrested several suspects in separate operations targeting burglary and motorcycle theft across the state.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Ahmad Rufa’i, who said the operations were carried out by officers from the Tangaza Divisional Headquarters, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Village Crime Reduction Unit (VCRU) and the Strike Force.

According to the statement, suspected Lakurawa bandits stormed Ayawa village on Monday evening, firing gunshots before fleeing with 11 cattle.

Rufa’i said the attack prompted a swift response from the Divisional Police Officer and tactical teams, who moved to the area, sealed off likely escape routes and confronted the fleeing bandits.

He explained that the security operatives engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to abandon the stolen livestock and retreat into a nearby forest.

The recovered cattle were subsequently returned to their owners without further incident.

In a separate operation, the command’s Strike Force arrested four suspects in connection with the burglary of a shop located in the Guiwa Low Cost area of Sokoto metropolis.

Police said the investigation followed a complaint by a trader, Marwanu Akibu, who reported that his shop had been broken into on July 10 and that 53 pieces of women’s wrapper materials were stolen.

Rufa’i stated that one of the suspects, Mustapha Danbaba, was apprehended during a routine patrol around the Old Market. During interrogation, he allegedly admitted to participating in the burglary and told investigators that the stolen items had been sold to Abubakar Usman, with Bashar Abubakar and Sa’adu Shehu allegedly assisting in disposing of the goods.

The spokesperson said investigations into the case are ongoing.

In another development, operatives of the Strike Force arrested a suspected member of a motorcycle theft syndicate following complaints from residents of Gidan Masau over the disappearance of several motorcycles.

The suspect, Kabiru Abubakar, allegedly confessed to working with an accomplice identified as Ibrahim Muhammad, who remains on the run, to steal motorcycles from Mana Babba, Nakasari, Bado Quarters, Gidan Kanawa and Tamaje.

Police added that preliminary investigations revealed the stolen motorcycles were allegedly sold to two suspected receivers, identified as Ahmad of Sabon Titi and Kabiru of the Hausawa area, who are currently being tracked.

Commending the officers involved in the operations, the Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Hassan Shaffa, reiterated the command’s commitment to combating criminal activities and safeguarding lives and property.

He also urged residents to continue supporting security agencies by providing credible and timely information that could aid efforts to tackle crime across the state.