By Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The Sokoto State Police Command has neutralized a suspected armed bandit and recovered an AK-47 rifle with 28 rounds of live ammunition following a gun battle with suspected criminals who attacked Daraye Village in Wamakko Local Government Area.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the operation followed a distress call reporting that heavily armed bandits had invaded the community.
In response, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), and other tactical teams were deployed to reinforce officers at the Wamakko Divisional Police Headquarters.
The operatives engaged the attackers in a fierce exchange of gunfire, forcing the bandits to flee into the forest with suspected gunshot wounds.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 28 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, while one suspected bandit was confirmed dead.
The Police Command said confidence-building patrols have been intensified in the area to reassure residents and prevent further attacks.
It added that neighboring police formations have been placed on alert to intercept any fleeing or injured suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, praised the courage and professionalism of the officers involved in the operation and reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain the fight against banditry and protect lives and property across Sokoto State.