POLICE ARREST KEY MEMBERS OF “SAI MALAM” CRIMINAL NETWORK, DISRUPT BANDITRY OPERATIONS IN SOKOTO
The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested key members of the notorious “Sai Malam” criminal network and disrupted banditry and extortion operations across parts of the state.
The Command disclosed this during 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 raided their hideout.
A search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of several exhibits, including a live scorpion, two bags containing large quantities of suspected fake currency notes in naira, US 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.
According to the police, the recovered items suggest the group’s involvement in multiple criminal activities, including financial fraud, intimidation and the use of charms to instil fear.
The Command further revealed that three other key members of the gang, Rilwanu Umar, Abdullahi Laro and Musa Abubakar, all of Rugar Woro, are currently on the run. Efforts are 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 of the state.
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 ₦50,000 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.
All 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 ensuring 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.
