Sokoto Police Rescue Kidnap Victims, Recover 689 Animals

The Sokoto State Police Command announced a significant operational success in combating banditry and kidnapping, as they rescued six kidnap victims and recovered 689 rustled domestic animals. Police Commissioner Hayatu Hassan Shaffa disclosed these achievements during a press briefing at the command headquarters on Thursday.

The operations, which took place in mid-July 2026, were coordinated across several local government areas, including Tangaza, Wamakko, Tureta, and Bodinga. The police engaged in gun battles with bandits, successfully freeing the victims unharmed and reuniting them with their families.

Additionally, several suspects were arrested, including three who allegedly confessed to participating in kidnappings. The police also intercepted a suspect collaborating with a fuel supplier linked to a terrorist group.

The operations resulted in the recovery of stolen livestock and the neutralization of armed bandits, marking a breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking and motorcycle theft within Sokoto.