Sokoto: Police kill 3 suspected bandits, recover weapons

By Ibrahim Shehu

Three suspected armed bandits were killed while an AK-47 rifle with ammunition was recovered after a gun battle between the bandits and police operatives in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State on Wednesday.

The police operatives had responded to a distress call at about 11:00p.m. on Wednesday that a large number of suspected armed bandits had launched an attack on Bodinga village and surrounding communities, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, in a statement issued to journalists in Sokoto on Thursday.

Rufai said the operatives of the command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) and Anti-Kidnapping Unit were immediately deployed to the area upon receiving the report.

“The operatives courageously engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel that lasted for some time.

“However, the superior firepower and tactical advantage of the security forces overwhelmed the bandits, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest with gunshot wounds,” Rufai stated.

He added that a subsequent search of the surrounding bushes led to the discovery of three corpses of bandits.

“Security personnel also recovered an AK-47 rifle and a magazine loaded with 25 rounds of live ammunition,” he said.

Rufai further disclosed that no civilian or security personnel were injured during the operation.

He said patrols had been intensified in the area to ensure residents’ safety and prevent further attacks.

The spokesman also revealed that Sokoto Commissioner of Police, Mr Hayatu Shaffa, urged residents of Bodinga LGA and neighbouring communities to promptly report any suspicious persons, particularly those with gunshot wounds, to the nearest security agency.

(NAN