By BANNERNEWS Reporter
Police authorities in Zamfara and Sokoto states have recorded major breakthroughs in separate operations, arresting several suspects and recovering a large cache of ammunition, counterfeit currency, weapons and suspected stolen livestock.
In Zamfara State, operatives of the Police Command arrested a suspect found with a large quantity of live ammunition concealed in a motorcycle fuel tank.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Yazid Abubakar, said the arrest was made on March 10, 2026, at about 7:50 p.m. by a patrol team along the Gusau–Funtua Federal Road at the Yankara checkpoint following credible intelligence.
According to him, the suspect, Mannir Adam, 25, of Yankuzo Village in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state, was intercepted while riding a red Boxer motorcycle.
A search conducted by the patrol team led to the recovery of 800 rounds of AK-47 7.62mm live ammunition carefully concealed inside the motorcycle’s fuel tank.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was travelling from Unguwar Bawa in Saminaka Local Government Area of Kaduna State and was heading to Kucheri Village in Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State.
Police said the suspect and the recovered ammunition had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation aimed at identifying and arresting other members of the suspected criminal syndicate.
The Zamfara State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Balarabe Maikaba, reiterated the Command’s commitment to tackling crime and urged residents to continue providing credible information to security agencies.
In neighbouring Sokoto State, the Police Command arrested five suspects linked to an alleged counterfeit currency syndicate and recovered an AK-47 rifle and 180 sheep during separate operations across the state.
Police spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit uncovered a counterfeit currency network known as “Sai Malam” during an intelligence-driven operation.
He said the Divisional Police Officer of Illela Division transferred three suspects — Muhd Hamidu of Kwanni in Niger Republic, Umar Hassan and Sadik Isah of Illela Local Government Area — to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
Further intelligence led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Buhari Abubakar and Kasimu Muhammad, both of Makera Asada quarters in Sokoto metropolis, while counterfeit currency and fetish items believed to be used in the operation were recovered.
In another operation on March 10, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit responded to a distress call about suspected members of the outlawed ‘Yan Sakai group in Dakalo village, Dange Shuni Local Government Area.
Police said the suspects, allegedly led by one Sani Nabuzuwa and linked to cases of culpable homicide and cattle rustling, opened fire on operatives before fleeing into a nearby forest after being subdued by the tactical team.
Items recovered at the scene included a fabricated AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 11 rounds of live ammunition, 180 sheep suspected to have been rustled and a Kasea motorcycle.
Meanwhile, operatives of Arkilla Police Station also arrested a suspect, Auwal Sani of Yabo Local Government Area, for alleged criminal impersonation and motorcycle theft.
Police said the suspect, dressed in a Mobile Police uniform, allegedly arrested a commercial motorcyclist and seized his Boxer motorcycle under the pretext of taking it to the station before fleeing with the vehicle.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime and admitted that he and an accomplice, currently at large, had earlier snatched three other motorcycles using the same method and sold them to a buyer identified as Nasiru in Kware Local Government Area.
The stolen motorcycle has been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing accomplice and other suspects connected to the crimes.
