By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command Violent Crimes Response Unit and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in collaboration with other security agencies, successfully repelled a bandits’ attack on Imasa Matankari village, a Sokoto remote hamlet bordering Zamfara State within Tureta Local Government Area.
The effort, which led to the recovery of 25 cattle rustled during the assault was described as another huge success as no casualty was recorded on the part of the friendly forces.
Making this known in a statement issued by the State Police Command Public Relations Officer,
DSP Ahmad Rufai, on behalf of the State Commissioner of Police, the police said they responded swiftly to a distress call by the locals.
The statement read in part, “On June 2, 2026, at about 14:00 hours, a distress call was received that a large number of armed bandits had invaded Imasa Matankari village. The assailants fired sporadically and rustled 25 cows belonging to local villagers.
“Upon receipt of the information, OC VCRU, who was on heightened alert, immediately mobilized combined teams from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and personnel from the Army Forward Operating Base (FOB). Security forces quickly blocked all exit routes from the village and engaged the bandits in a sustained gun duel.
“After a fierce exchange, the operatives overpowered the hoodlums, forcing them to flee through the nearby Kuruwa Forest. In their hasty retreat, the bandits abandoned all the stolen animals. All 25 rustled cows were recovered in full and have since been returned to their rightful owners.
Security forces have maintained an active vigilance posture in the area and are continuing search operations to apprehend the fleeing suspects”.
In his appeal to members of the public, the CP urged them to not only remain calm but also continue to provide timely information to security agencies to aid in the fight against banditry and kidnapping.
