The Sokoto Police Command said it had neutralised one suspected bandit, arrested 15 suspects and other criminals terrorising different parts of the state, and recovered firearms. 

Briefing journalists on Tuesday in Sokoto, the Commissioner of Police, Ali Kaigama, said the notorious bandit, Dauda Ahmad, who engaged in a series of kidnappings, was killed during a gun duel with the police.

Mr Kaigama explained that the suspect was hit by the bullet of a member of his gang and was confirmed dead at the hospital.

He narrated that on July 10 this year, suspected bandits invaded Yarabba and Salah villages, where they kidnapped four persons, respectively and injured one person.

Mr Kaigama said the police tactical team was deployed immediately and confronted the gang for a rescue operation.

According to him, one AK49 rifle with two magazines loaded with 15 live ammunition and a locally fabricated pistol with 12 rounds of live ammunition had been recovered after freeing the victims.

Mr Kaigama said a Kasea motorcycle and nine cell phones suspected to belong to kidnapped victims were also recovered from the suspects.

He added that among the arrested suspects were those intercepted along Birnin Kebbi road with a Sharon vehicle loaded with 12 rolls of conductor aluminium wires suspected to be vandalised from electric poles.

” During the investigation, the suspects offered police the sum of N800,000 as a bribe to enable them to escape arrest,” Mr Kaigama said.

He added that the command also arrested some notorious motorcycle snatchers and recovered a Volkswagen Golf, among other things, from them.

The police commissioner reiterated their relentless, aggressive patrols, raids of criminals hideouts, and visible policing community strategies to counter any criminal activities in the state.

(NAN)