The Sokoto State Police Command has repelled two separate bandits’ attacks in Tureta Local Government Area, recovering 137 rustled cows and preventing casualties during coordinated security operations.
SOKOTO – The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled two separate bandits’ attacks in Tureta Local Government Area, recovering 137 rustled cows during coordinated security operations.
The operations, carried out in Fura Kirke and Bimasa villages, successfully prevented further losses and recorded no casualties among civilians or security personnel.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Sokoto.
According to Rufai, the first operation followed a distress call received on June 28, reporting that heavily armed bandits had invaded Fura Kirke Village, firing sporadically and rustling livestock belonging to residents.
He said the Police Command immediately deployed tactical teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Village Crime Response Centre (VCRC), to respond to the attack.
“Our operatives strategically blocked all exit routes from the village and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle. Overpowered by the superior firepower of the security forces, the criminals fled through the Gizazza Forest, abandoning the rustled animals,” Rufai said.
He disclosed that 65 rustled cows were recovered and returned to their rightful owners, while no injuries were recorded during the operation.
Rufai further stated that another distress call was received on June 30, reporting a fresh bandits’ attack on Bimasa Village, also in Tureta Local Government Area.
According to him, the attackers fired indiscriminately before rustling livestock from the community.
He said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, supported by other tactical teams, swiftly mobilised to the area and intercepted the fleeing suspects.
The police spokesperson explained that security operatives engaged the bandits in a sustained gun battle, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest and abandon the stolen animals.
As a result, 72 additional rustled cows were recovered, with no casualties recorded among the security personnel involved in the operation.
Rufai said the Commissioner of Police commended the officers for their bravery, professionalism and prompt response, describing the successful operations as evidence of the command’s determination to protect lives and property across Sokoto State.
He added that the police commissioner appealed to residents to continue providing timely and credible intelligence to support ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
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