The Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto State has arrested four suspected members of an alleged counterfeiting and fraud syndicate linked to the notorious “Sai Mallam” cult group, while also rescuing two kidnapped victims during a separate anti-bandit operation in Binji Local Government Area.

The arrests followed a coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out by the Command’s Strike Force Unit on 19 May in the Mana area of Sokoto metropolis.

According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the operation was launched after security operatives received credible intelligence from a resident over suspicious activities at a house allegedly owned by one Yusufa Auditor, who is currently at large.

The suspects arrested were identified as Saifullahi Aminu, Ahmad Sarkin Aski, Muhammadu Lawali, popularly known as Gunda, and Usama Muhammad, alias Na’Ukada.

Police said several items were recovered from the premises, including counterfeit CFA currencies, fake United States dollar bills, fake naira notes, charms, SIM cards, ATM cards and a box allegedly used in producing fake money.

The command disclosed that the suspects allegedly specialised in deceiving unsuspecting residents through fake money-doubling schemes.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to conspiring with one Yanusa S. Aski, now at large, to fraudulently obtain money from victims under the guise of multiplying currencies through magic,” the statement said.

Recovered exhibits included fake bundles of 10,000 CFA notes, counterfeit 5,000 CFA notes, fake 100-dollar bills, counterfeit ₦1,000 notes, genuine cash suspected to be proceeds of crime, rings and assorted charms, fake gold stones and multiple SIM cards.

In another development, police operatives attached to Binji Police Station, alongside personnel of the Army Forward Operating Base, rescued two abducted persons after repelling a late-night attack by suspected bandits on Jareedi village in Binji LGA.

The victims, Umar Faruku, 30, and Husa Abdullahi, 52, were abducted after the attackers reportedly invaded the village and opened fire sporadically.

The police said tactical teams swiftly responded to a distress call and engaged the gunmen in a fierce exchange of fire, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest and abandon the captives.

“One of the victims sustained a minor injury on his right leg and was immediately taken to hospital for treatment before being discharged,” the command stated.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commended the officers involved in the operations and praised members of the public for supporting security agencies with timely information.

He urged residents to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies in the fight against cultism, kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities in the state.

“Together, we can expose cultists, kidnappers, bandits and fraudsters operating within our communities,” the commissioner said. (Tribune News)