The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested key members of the notorious “Sai Malam” criminal network and suspected bandits operating in parts of the state.
The police disclosed this at a press briefing on Thursday, stating that operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on credible intelligence, arrested two suspected leaders of the “Sai Malam” group in the Rugar Woro area of Wamakko Local Government Area.
The suspects were identified as Abdulrazak Salihu, also known as Monosa, of Polytechnic Quarters, and Habibu Sahabi, popularly called Habibi, of Rugar Woro.
They were arrested on January 18, 2026, at about 11:30 pm when police operatives stormed their hideout.
According to the police, a search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of several exhibits, including a big scorpion, two bags containing large quantities of suspected fake currency notes in naira, dollars and CFA francs, a POS machine, assorted white papers, perfumes, fetish materials and charms.
Other items recovered include a red scarf believed to be an identifier of the group, five horns and a sharp cutlass.
The Command said the recovered items suggested the group’s involvement in multiple criminal activities, including financial fraud, intimidation and the use of charms to instil fear.
Police revealed that investigations showed three other key members of the gang, Rilwanu Umar, Abdullahi Laro and Musa Abubakar, all of Rugar Woro, were currently on the run.
Efforts, the Command said, were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects.
In a related development, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit also disrupted banditry and extortion networks operating in Silame and Yabo Local Government Areas.
On January 7, 2026, operatives arrested Bello Degi of Talaji Village, Silame LGA, described as a high-value suspect linked to kidnapping and the imposition of illegal levies on communities in Silame and Yabo.
Police said the suspect confessed to participating in kidnapping operations and admitted receiving N50,000 as his share of ransom payments. An army camouflage uniform was recovered from his residence.
Similarly, on January 12, 2026, three suspects – Bello Sahabi, Abubakar Juli and Aliyu Abubakar – were arrested in Yabo LGA for allegedly conspiring to extort residents of Tudun Bakale community through a threatening letter.
Police said the prime suspect, Ayuba Usman of Kilgori Village, who allegedly authored the letter, was later tracked and arrested, with the letter recovered as an exhibit.
The suspects, according to the Command, have been arraigned in court, while investigations continue to apprehend other accomplices.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Musa, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to public safety and urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information.
He warned criminals operating in the state to surrender or face the full weight of the law.