The Sokoto State Police Command has successfully foiled a suspected bandit attack on Daraye village in Wamako Local Government Area, killing one suspected attacker and recovering an AK-47 rifle with live ammunition.
The operation followed a distress call reporting that a large group of armed bandits had invaded the community in the early hours of Saturday.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, security agencies received the emergency report at about 1:35 a.m. on July 4, 2026.
In response, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, the Village Crime Reduction Unit (VCRU) and other tactical squads were immediately deployed to reinforce officers at the Wamako Divisional Police Headquarters.
The police said the tactical teams engaged the suspected bandits in an intense gunfight upon arriving at the scene.
According to the command, the operatives overpowered the attackers, forcing them to abandon the operation and flee into nearby forests with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
“The team aggressively engaged the assailants in a fierce and prolonged gun duel. Demonstrating superior tactical proficiency, the operatives successfully overpowered the bandits, forcing them to abandon their mission and retreat into the forest with several bullet wounds, the statement said.
Following the exchange of gunfire, security operatives carried out a search of the surrounding bushes, where one suspected bandit was neutralised.
Police recovered an AK-47 rifle and a magazine loaded with 28 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the suspect.
The command did not disclose whether any police officer or civilian sustained injuries during the operation.
Following the successful operation, the Sokoto State Police Command said confidence-building patrols have been intensified around Daraye village and neighbouring communities to reassure residents and prevent further attacks.
The command also directed nearby police divisions to remain on high alert to intercept fleeing suspects who may attempt to seek medical treatment for gunshot wounds.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, praised the officers for their professionalism, courage and swift response in preventing what could have been a deadly attack.
Shaffa reaffirmed the command’s commitment to working closely with other security agencies to sustain operations against bandits and other criminal groups across Sokoto State.
He assured residents that security forces would continue to intensify intelligence-led operations until lasting peace and security are fully restored throughout the state.
