The Sokoto State Command of the Nigeria Police Force says operatives of its Anti-Kidnapping Unit have arrested five suspected members of a counterfeit currency syndicate popularly known as “Sai Malam.”
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i.
According to the statement, the Divisional Police Officer of the Illela Division transferred three suspects—Muhd Hamidu of Kwanni in the Niger Republic, as well as Umar Hassan and Sadik Isah of Illela Local Government Area—to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The police said intelligence gathering also led to the arrest of two additional suspects, Buhari Abubakar and Kasimu Muhammad, both residents of the Makera Asada quarters in Sokoto metropolis.
The command added that operatives recovered counterfeit currency and fetish items believed to have been used by the suspects in carrying out the illegal operation.
In a separate development on March 10, the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit responded to a distress call about suspected members of the outlawed ‘Yan Sakai group in Dakalo village of Dange Shuni Local Government Area.
The group, reportedly led by one Sani Nabuzuwa, is suspected to be involved in cases of culpable homicide and cattle rustling in the area.
“On sighting the police, the suspects opened fire but were subdued by the tactical team and fled into a nearby forest,” he said.
Items recovered from the scene include “a fabricated AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 11 rounds of live ammunition, 180 sheep suspected to have been stolen and a Kasea motorcycle.”
