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Local government

Sokoto and Osun State Police Commands Make Significant Arrests in Fight Against Banditry and Kidnapping

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Sokoto State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in their fight against banditry and kidnapping with the arrest of notorious bandit Buba Magaji, while the Osun State Police Command has apprehended five suspects alleged to have been involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, car theft, secret cultism, and murder. The arrests were made possible through actionable intelligence and the dedication of the police units involved.

Key Takeaways:

  • Buba Magaji, a notorious bandit, was arrested by the Sokoto State Police Command's Anti-Kidnapping Unit on July 13, 2025, in Julirkol Village, Silame Local Government Area, Sokoto State.
  • Magaji's arrest was made possible through a tip-off that identified him as a close associate of the Lakurawa bandit syndicate, which has been terrorizing residents and perpetrating crimes across multiple local government areas.
  • Magaji confessed to his involvement in criminal activities linked to the syndicate and revealed the location of an AK-49 rifle he had concealed in the bush along the Silame axis.
  • A subsequent search of the area on July 16, 2025, led to the recovery of the rifle, a magazine, and 22 rounds of live ammunition.
  • The Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, praised the effectiveness of actionable intelligence and the dedication of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, stating that the operation disrupted the activities of the Lakurawa syndicate.
  • In a separate operation, the Osun State Police Command arrested five suspects alleged to have been involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, car theft, secret cultism, and murder.
  • The suspects include Michael Ojo, Dotun Olumide, Adeboye Damilare, Taiwo Awoniran, and Onah David, who were arrested for various crimes, including murder, kidnapping, robbery, and car theft.
  • The police recovered a number of stolen items, including firearms, vehicles, mobile phones, and other valuables.

Statistics:

  • 5 suspects arrested by the Osun State Police Command in connection with armed robbery, kidnapping, car theft, secret cultism, and murder.
  • 3A1/2 bed frame, 3A1/2 mattress, 4 locally-made single-barrel guns, 1 cut-to-size double-barrel gun, 2 Nokia C32 Android phones, and valuable documents recovered by the Osun State Police Command.
  • 5 suspects currently in police custody in Osun State.

Sources:

  • Sokoto State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai.
  • Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi.
  • Commissioner of Police, Sokoto State Command, Ahmed Musa.
  • Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, Ibrahim Gotan.

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