The Sokoto State Police Command says it has recorded major successes in its fight against drug trafficking and banditry, arresting a suspected drug dealer, seizing a large quantity of illicit drugs, and recovering animals stolen by bandits.

Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said officers from the Bado Division stopped two men riding an unregistered motorcycle along the Kebbi–Sokoto Road on May 27.

The suspects, identified as Ummaru Abubakar Gugare and another man known simply as Ummaru, were searched during a routine operation.

According to the police, officers found a sack containing substances suspected to be cannabis, as well as several containers filled with controlled drugs, including Axzol, Benthexol and D5 tablets.

Gugare was arrested at the scene, while the second suspect escaped. Police said efforts are ongoing to track him down.

In a separate operation on May 30, the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit responded to reports of an attack by armed bandits on Zabori, Tambaranga and Gidan Yero communities in Wamakko Local Government Area.

The security operatives reportedly blocked the attackers’ escape route near Abdalo Forest in Gwadabawa Local Government Area, leading to a gunfight. Police said the bandits fled into the forest after being overpowered, with some believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.

One suspect, Musa Usman from Damba Village in Illela Local Government Area, was arrested during the operation.

The police also recovered 11 cows and five sheep believed to have been stolen by the criminals. The animals are being kept until they can be returned to their owners.

Reacting to the operations, Sokoto State Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, described the achievements as “significant blows to criminal cartels operating in our state, whether drug barons or armed bandits.”

He urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with useful information, saying, “together, we will dismantle every criminal network threatening our peace and security.”

The police said investigations are ongoing and efforts have been intensified to arrest other suspects who escaped during the operations.

The Ogun State Police Command says it arrested 38 foreign nationals from Côte d’Ivoire during a recent operation conducted in Kajola-Ilese, Atan-Ota, and not bandits.

The arrested suspects, comprising 19 males and 19 females aged between 25 and 35 years, were found in an apartment following credible intelligence.

DAILY POST learnt that they were said to have entered Nigeria for online business activities.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, contrary to reports circulating on social media, insisted that no bandit, kidnapper, or terrorist was arrested during the operation.

Babaseyi stated that the suspects were unable to produce valid immigration or travel documents during preliminary screening.

His words: “At no time during the operation were bandits, kidnappers, or terrorists arrested, nor was any security-related incident recorded in connection with the apprehension.

“Any attempt to link the arrested foreign nationals to banditry or any violent criminal activity is entirely false, misleading, and capable of creating unnecessary panic and disturbing public peace.”

The image maker disclosed that upon the conclusion of preliminary police procedures, all 38 suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation and appropriate administrative action in line with extant immigration laws and protocols.

The PPRO asserted that security management depends on accurate reporting, responsible communication, and timely verification of information, urging members of the public to avoid spreading unverified information and desist from actions capable of creating fear or tension in the state.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property and advised the public to verify all security-related information through official channels before sharing it.

The Police in Ogun State on Tuesday debunked reports that bandits attacked some schools and communities within the Ota and Ifo axis of the state.

The Command, in a statement by its spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, stated that the entire state remains safe, calm, and secure.

DAILY POST reports that a social media post circulating through WhatsApp groups at midday claimed that armed men had been sighted close to several schools in the Ota axis.

This forced parents to abandon their work and businesses, rushing to various schools to pick up their children and causing heavy traffic and confusion along Idiroko Road, Sango Roundabout, and Oju-Ore.

The Police Public Relations Officer stated that there was no bandit attack, kidnapping incident, terrorist activity, or any form of security breach anywhere in the state.

He said, “The Command states unequivocally that there has been no bandit attack, kidnapping incident, terrorist activity, or any form of security breach anywhere in Ogun State, including Oluke Community High School, Sango Ota High School (Ijoko axis), Fadunsin Area of Ijoko, Atan-Ota, Sango-Ota, Agbado, Ifo, and other adjoining communities.

“Following the circulation of the false reports, police operatives from the respective divisions were immediately mobilized to all affected locations for on-the-spot assessment, verification, and sustained confidence-building patrols aimed at preventing panic and ensuring continued public reassurance.”

Babaseyi added that the Command’s School Protection Squad, in collaboration with the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of the affected areas, conducted immediate security assessments of all referenced schools.

According to him, the exercise confirmed that all schools were safe, secure, and fully operational.

“School activities continued peacefully and without interruption throughout the day, with students and staff completing a successful academic day before normal closure,” he added.

The Command noted with concern the needless tension and anxiety caused among residents by the circulation of unverified security information.

Meanwhile, the Command sympathized with members of the public who may have been alarmed by the false reports and reassured them that there is no cause for fear or apprehension, as all affected areas remain calm and under effective security coverage.

The Command also urged residents to remain calm, avoid the spread of unverified information, and desist from actions capable of heightening unnecessary fear or tension within communities.