Police foil bandit attack, recover rocket launchers in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has foiled a planned attack by armed bandits on Tsabre Village in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items after a gun battle with the attackers.

The incident occurred at about 1 am on Friday, October 2, 2026, when a large number of armed bandits reportedly entered the community and began shooting sporadically, apparently to cause panic among residents.

The police said the Divisional Police Officer in Isa quickly mobilised tactical teams, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Response Unit, after receiving a distress call.

The officers engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle, forcing them to retreat into a nearby forest with casualties, according to a statement by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Ahmad Rufai.

After the bandits withdrew, the police searched the surrounding bushes and recovered two rocket launchers, two empty AK-47 magazines, a keypad Tecno phone without a battery, a torchlight, an Army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, praised the officers for their swift response and bravery during the operation.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Sokoto State and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious people or activities to the police.

The commissioner also asked members of the public to report anyone with suspected gunshot wounds seeking medical treatment to the nearest police station, as efforts continue to locate the fleeing bandits.