The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three suspects and recovered a fabricated AK-47 rifle, ammunition, dane guns, and 46 rustled cows across different operations carried out between April and May in Sokoto State.

The arrests followed coordinated security operations in Tangaza, Wamakko, Silame, and surrounding areas, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, who confirmed the developments in a statement on Monday.

Police said the first operation took place on April 29 when operatives attached to Gidan Madi Police Station acted on intelligence about suspicious persons sighted on the outskirts of Tangaza town.

“Following intensified patrols and stop-and-search operations along the Tangaza–Gidan Madi Road, three suspects were arrested.

” They were identified as Aliyu Bello, 30; Dahiru Umar, 25; and Bashar Isah Yusuf, 29, all residents of Kwazari village in Kware Local Government Area.

“Items recovered from the suspects included one fabricated AK-47 rifle, one magazine, 17 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, two 32g cartridges, two dane guns, and six charms”

The police added that the suspects are currently under investigation and will be charged to court after the conclusion of inquiries.

“In another operation on May 3, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit foiled a cattle rustling attack in Gidan Bubu village, Wamakko LGA, after receiving intelligence that armed bandits had invaded the community and were shooting sporadically.

“A tactical team pursued the attackers to Gidan Gawe Forest in Silame LGA, where the suspects abandoned 19 cows and fled with injuries after an exchange of gunfire”

In a related development, police also recovered 27 cows on April 30 after responding to a distress call from community guards in Tangaza over the movement of suspected members of the Lakurawa Terrorist Group. The animals were found near Zamoriya village after the suspects fled on sighting security operatives.

Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commended the officers involved and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling insecurity in the state.

“These successive breakthroughs underscore the importance of timely intelligence and robust community-police collaboration. We will not relent until every criminal element is neutralized or brought to justice,” he said.

He also urged residents of Tangaza, Gidan Madi, Silame, Wamakko, and Kware LGAs to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.

The police said efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing suspects and reunite the recovered cattle with their rightful owners. (Nigerian Tribune)