The Sokoto State Police Command has repelled two separate bandit attacks in Tureta Local Government Area, recovering 137 rustled cows during coordinated security operations.
The incidents occurred in Fura Kirke and Bimasa villages on June 28 and June 30, respectively, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, disclosed this in a statement issued in Sokoto.
Rufai said the first operation followed a distress call reporting that heavily armed bandits had invaded Fura Kirke Village, firing sporadically and rustling livestock belonging to residents.
He said the Police Command immediately deployed tactical units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Village Crime Response Centre (VCRC), to respond to the attack.
According to him, the operatives strategically blocked all escape routes and engaged the bandits in a fierce gun battle.
“The criminals were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of our operatives and fled into the Gizazza Forest, abandoning the stolen livestock,” he said.
Rufai said 65 rustled cows were recovered and returned to their rightful owners, adding that no civilian or security personnel was injured during the operation.
He further disclosed that the command received another distress call on June 30, reporting a fresh bandit attack on Bimasa Village, also in Tureta Local Government Area.
According to him, the attackers fired indiscriminately before rustling domestic animals.
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit, supported by other tactical teams, was immediately deployed and intercepted the fleeing bandits.
“Our gallant operatives engaged the bandits in a sustained gun duel, forcing them to flee into the nearby forest and abandon the stolen livestock,” Rufai said.
He added that all 72 rustled cows were recovered, while no casualties were recorded among security personnel.
Rufai said the Commissioner of Police commended the officers for their courage, professionalism and swift response, describing the operations as a demonstration of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
He added that the Commissioner appealed to residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible intelligence to strengthen ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
