The Sokoto State police command has foiled a bandit attack and recovered magazines and ammunition in Bodinga Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement on Monday, Ahmad Rufa’i, the command’s spokesman, said the operation was carried out on Saturday at about 8:30 p.m.

He said the police received a distress call reporting that a large number of armed bandits, wielding sophisticated weapons, were attacking Tauma Village in Bodinga LGA.

Mr Rufa’i said the police immediately mobilised all tactical teams, including the anti-kidnapping unit and the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), to the scene.

“The joint security teams engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle that lasted for some time.”

“The bandits were overpowered by the superior firepower of the security forces and fled into the nearby forest with gunshot wounds,” he said. 

He said a thorough search of the bushes and surrounding areas led to the recovery of five magazines containing 40 rounds of live ammunition.

“The command is pleased to report that no casualties were recorded on the side of the joint security teams or among the villagers during the encounter,” he said.