The Sokoto State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in its fight against banditry with the arrest of three individuals accused of providing financial and logistical support to criminal gangs.
Intelligence-Led Operations Target Criminal Networks
In a statement released on Thursday, December 5, 2025, the Command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, detailed the arrests. The suspects were apprehended during two separate but coordinated operations conducted on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Rufai stated that the first operation was an intelligence-led mission by the Command's Anti-Kidnapping Unit, under the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). It targeted the logistical core of banditry in Tangaza Local Government Area.
"Acting on credible intelligence, operatives conducted a targeted operation in the Tangaza area at about 1400 hours," Rufai explained. "This led to the arrest of one Ruwa Ginyo, identified as the Fulani Head of Gidan-Madi, along with two accomplices."
Unraveling the Financing Chain
Preliminary investigations revealed the trio's alleged role as brokers and financiers for a notorious bandit group. Their activities reportedly included:
- Receiving cattle stolen by bandits (rustled cattle).
- Arranging for the sale of these livestock.
- Remitting the proceeds from the sales back to the armed criminals.
This operation, according to the police spokesperson, demonstrated the Command's "proactive and far-reaching operational capacity" in disrupting the economic lifelines of bandits.
Cross-Border Strike in Zamfara
In a related development on the same day, a Strike Force team from the Sokoto Command extended its reach into neighboring Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
This cross-border mission, executed at about 1700 hours, resulted in further arrests. The suspects taken into custody were implicated in criminal conspiracy, motorcycle theft, and receiving stolen property. Investigators recovered two suspected stolen motorcycles and confirmed their link to an ongoing case.
Police Leadership Commends Operatives
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Musa, psc, praised the officers involved for their "exceptional work and vigilance." He emphasized that the dual operations successfully struck at both the financial and logistical support systems of the criminal networks.
The Command has reiterated its appeal to the public for continued support. Residents are urged to provide security agencies with timely and credible information. The police also advised livestock dealers, motorcycle traders, and other business operators to always demand verifiable proof of ownership during transactions to avoid handling stolen goods.
The police assured that all information shared by the public will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
