Sokoto State Police Command has arrested a suspected drug dealer and recovered a large quantity of suspected hard drugs during an operation in the state.

The Command also foiled a bandit attack and recovered rustled livestock in separate security operations.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said the drug suspect was arrested on May 27 during a stop-and-search operation along the Kebbi-Sokoto Road by operatives attached to the Bado Division.

According to the statement, the suspect, identified as Ummaru Abubakar Gugare, was intercepted while riding an unregistered motorcycle alongside another suspect who escaped during the operation.

Police said a search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of a sack containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp, as well as quantities of Axzol, Benthexol and D5 tablets classified as controlled drugs.

The recovered exhibits were taken into police custody, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.

In a separate operation on May 30, operatives of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit foiled a bandit attack on Zabori, Tambaranga and Gidan Yero villages in Wamakko Local Government Area.

The operation followed a distress call reporting the invasion of the communities by armed bandits.

Police said the operatives blocked the suspects’ escape route around Abdalo Forest in Gwadabawa Local Government Area, leading to an exchange of gunfire.

According to the statement, the bandits fled into the forest after being overpowered by security operatives, with some reportedly sustaining gunshot wounds.

One suspect, identified as Musa Usman of 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 rustled by the suspects.

The livestock have been taken into custody pending identification and return to their owners.

The command said investigations into both cases were ongoing, while efforts had been intensified to apprehend other suspects linked to the crimes.

Troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA have foiled an attempted bandit attack on Gegeta Village in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State, neutralising three suspected bandits and recovering livestock rustled during the raid.

The development was disclosed by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, in a post shared via his X handle.

According to security sources cited in the report, the incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. on June 1 when armed bandits invaded the community through the Magami District and rustled animals belonging to residents.

The attackers were reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons, including a General Purpose Machine Gun, GPMG, AK-type rifles and other firearms.

Following a distress call, joint security personnel comprising troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA and local vigilantes were mobilised to the area to confront the attackers.

A gun battle reportedly ensued, forcing the bandits to abandon their operation and flee into nearby forested areas.

During the encounter, three suspected bandits were neutralised, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds.

Security sources said all livestock rustled during the attack were recovered and returned to their owners.

The sources added that follow-up operations, including search-and-clear missions, were ongoing to track down fleeing members of the criminal gang and prevent further attacks in the area.

Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining security operations aimed at protecting lives and property across vulnerable communities in Zamfara State.

Residents of Kawo in Nasarawa Local Government Area of Kano State have expressed concern over renewed clashes involving suspected gangs, popularly known as Yan Daba, as violence in the area entered its third consecutive day on Tuesday.

The unrest, which residents say has disrupted daily activities and created fear among traders and commuters, is part of what many have described as a gradual resurgence of gang-related violence in Kano.

A resident, Muhammad, said the repeated clashes have affected businesses in the area, with many shop owners worried about the safety of their goods.

He told DAILY POST: “They have not started entering houses yet, but they scare away traders and loot them, from what I have heard.”

According to residents, the latest crisis began about three weeks ago following a dispute involving commercial tricycle operators from different sections of Kawo.

Residents recount how the violence started

A mother identified as Maman Mama told DAILY POST that the trouble started when a group of tricycle riders allegedly blocked a major road in the community.

“It began three weeks ago. NAPEP riders from Kawon Lambu, who are heavy smokers of Indian hemp, barricaded Kawo Road around 6:50 a.m., preventing riders from Kawon Majalissa from passing through,” she said.

She alleged that the group displayed dangerous weapons and threatened anyone who attempted to use the road.

“A Keke rider from Majalissa was injured and his tricycle was damaged. Police were alerted and arrived after 9 a.m. Since then, riders from Kawon Majalissa have been coming to Kawon Lambu to retaliate,” she added.

Another resident, popularly known as Barrister, said the incident caused major traffic congestion and panic among road users.

“They only caused a hold-up. The road was filled with motorists and passers-by, creating fear among people,” he said, adding that the attackers did not specifically target other road users.

A woman who requested anonymity described the situation as worrying.

“You have not seen anything in this area. May God help us raise our children well,” she said.

Activist blames drug abuse, urges leaders to act

Speaking to DAILY POST, social commentator and activist Comrade Sagiru Usman Yarima expressed concern over the high level of drug abuse among young people in Kano.

Yarima, who is the chairperson of the Centre for Thuggery and Violence Awareness in Kano, condemned the growing trend of violence linked to political interests and criminal gangs, urging residents not to remain silent while lives and property are threatened.

According to him, “Ninety percent of thuggery has returned to Kano, especially because of the upcoming elections. It has been growing since 2015.

“Let’s take areas like Ƙulƙul, Dala, Hotoro, Kurna, Abbatore and Fagge Local Government Area, for example; these are hotspots.

“The painful thing is that some of the thugs have started using traditional guns called Baushe,” he said.

Yarima also called on political leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders to take stronger action against insecurity and youth involvement in violence.

He urged voters to reject politicians who use youths for violent activities and warned that continued silence could worsen the situation.

Police response

In an earlier discussion with journalists, the Kano State Police Command said many of the recent clashes involved rival groups operating within the same communities.

The command assured residents that security agencies were monitoring the situation and working to eliminate all forms of unrest across the state.

It said efforts were ongoing to prevent further violence and restore normalcy in affected areas.

Recall that two weeks ago, the Kano State Police Command unveiled a new operational office for the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU).

According to CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, “The VCRU is not a unit for every officer. We have carefully vetted, selected and deployed trained, professional, committed, dedicated and result-oriented police officers to form this unit,” he stated.

“Each officer has undergone rigorous screening and mandatory training in tactical response, human rights, professional conduct and intelligence handling, in line with global best practices. Discipline, integrity and respect for human rights will remain the guiding principles of every VCRU operation,” he added.

With all these preparations, the people of Kano still live in constant fear and, according to some of those who spoke to DAILY POST, that fear grows with each passing day.

As of press time, the casualty figure from the clashes had not been confirmed.