Police Arrest Two Suspected Bandits, 47 Others in Kebbi Crackdown, Recover AK-47 Rifles and Rustled Cattle

A sweeping security operation in Kebbi State has led to the arrest of dozens of suspects and the recovery of weapons, stolen property, and rustled livestock, as police intensify efforts to curb banditry and violent crime.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that two suspected bandits and 47 other criminal suspects were apprehended in separate operations carried out across the state in collaboration with the Nigerian Army.

Briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the Commissioner of Police, Umar M. Hadejia, said the coordinated operations resulted in the recovery of 10 AK-47 rifles, three locally fabricated Beretta pistols, and about 33 rustled cattle believed to be linked to suspected Lakurawa terrorist elements.

He disclosed that on April 29, police operatives on patrol along the Bena–Mai Rai Rai road intercepted and arrested two suspected bandits identified as Aliyu Hussaini, 23, from Minna in Niger State, and Sani Abubakar, 28, from Zamfara State.

Items recovered from the suspects included 36 rounds of live ammunition, a rifle magazine, a Bajaj motorcycle, N264,000 in cash, as well as mobile phones, SIM cards, and memory devices.

According to the police commissioner, the suspects have reportedly confessed to involvement in attacks on villages within the axis and are currently in custody as investigations continue.

In a separate operation on May 1, a patrol team intercepted two individuals linked to a motorcycle robbery attempt along the Ambursa–Sanyinna road, where a victim was injured. The stolen motorcycle was recovered during the intervention.

Another arrest was made on May 2 along the Masalaci Zarya–Jega road, where police apprehended a suspect connected to a gang that allegedly attacked a traveller and stole a motorcycle.

Authorities say efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the criminal networks who fled during the operations.

Reaffirming the command’s stance, Hadejia said security forces would sustain pressure on bandits, armed robbers, and other criminal groups operating within the state.

He added that intelligence-led policing and joint security collaboration remain central to ongoing efforts to restore safety across Kebbi communities.