Sokoto Police Rescue 2 Kidnap Victims, Dismantle Bandits’ Hideouts In Yabo

The Sokoto State Police Command has rescued two kidnap victims during a joint security operation against armed bandits in Yabo Local Government Area of Sokoto State. The operation has brought relief to residents of the affected communities who have lived in fear over repeated attacks by criminal gangs operating in the forest areas.

According to Donjoe News Media, the operation was carried out at about 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at Dan Tafki village and the surrounding hills opposite Binji Musa, in Yabo Local Government Area. The bandits had established hideouts in the area used to keep their victims and coordinate their criminal activities.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto State Police Command, Ahmad Rufa’i, confirmed the rescue in a statement issued on Monday, November 9, 2026, in Sokoto. He explained that the operation was led by the Commander of the 7 Police Mobile Force, Sokoto, and involved operatives from the Violent Crime Response Unit, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, and the Yabo Police Division.

He said the joint team acted on credible intelligence about the movement and hideout of the bandits before mobilising to Dan Tafki village and the surrounding hills. On sighting the security operatives, the armed bandits opened fire, leading to a gun duel that lasted for several hours.

He said the bandits were eventually overpowered by the superior firepower of the police operatives and were forced to flee into the bush, abandoning their captives in the process. The swift action of the operatives allowed them to secure the victims without any harm coming to them.

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The rescued victims were identified as Nafisa Abubakar and Aminu Sahabi, both residents of Dono village in Yabo Local Government Area. Rufa’i said the victims were rescued unhurt and were immediately evacuated to hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention and psychological support.

He also disclosed that during the operation, operatives dismantled several hideouts and silos belonging to the bandits in the area. According to the police spokesperson, the hideouts were being used by the criminals as a base to plan attacks, keep their victims, and store food items and other logistics.

He said the successful operation has disrupted the activities of the bandits in Yabo and its surrounding communities. A follow-up operation has commenced to track down the fleeing bandits and arrest them.

For more information on police operations across the country, visit the Nigeria Police Force official website at https://www.npf.gov.ng/.

Rufa’i assured residents of Yabo and Sokoto State in general that the police command remains committed to protecting lives and property. He said the command will continue to work with other security agencies and local vigilantes to rid the state of banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

He also called on members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to the police, saying such information was key to the success of the operation. The rescue in Yabo comes amid renewed efforts by security agencies in Sokoto State to tackle banditry and kidnapping, especially in communities bordering forest areas that have witnessed repeated attacks in recent months.

Residents of the area have commended the police for the swift response and for rescuing the victims alive.

By Jonadab Oluikpe
Published by Donjoe Media