The Sokoto State Police Command has apprehended a suspected member of the dreaded Lakurawa bandit group, recovering an AK-49 rifle, a magazine, and 22 rounds of live ammunition in the process.
The suspect, Buba Magaji, a resident of Julirkol village in Silami Local Government Area, was arrested on Saturday, July 13, 2025, by operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit following a credible intelligence tip-off.
According to the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, Magaji was identified as a close associate of the Lakurawa syndicate, which has been linked to several violent attacks across Silami, Wamakko, Binji, and Yabo local government areas.
“Magaji confessed during interrogation that he had participated in the gang’s operations and later took our officers to a concealed location in the Silami bush area where the weapon was hidden,” Rufai stated in a press release on Thursday.
A follow-up operation conducted on Tuesday, July 16, led to the recovery of one AK-49 rifle, one magazine, and 22 rounds of live ammunition.
Commending the effort, the Sokoto State Commissioner of Police praised the swift and coordinated response of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the vital support from members of the public.
“This arrest marks a significant breakthrough in our ongoing efforts to dismantle armed criminal networks operating in the region,” the commissioner said. “We remain resolute in our mission to restore peace and security across Sokoto State.”
The command also appealed to residents to stay vigilant and continue supplying security operatives with timely and actionable intelligence to aid the ongoing crackdown on banditry and other criminal activities.
“Investigations are still underway to track down other members of the Lakurawa group and ensure they face the full weight of the law,” DSP Rufai added.
