Nigeria Police Force in Sokoto State has arrested four suspected members of a counterfeiting syndicate linked to the notorious “Sai Mallam” cult group.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i.
He said operatives of the Command’s Strike Force Unit carried out an intelligence-led raid on May 19 in the Mana area of Sokoto metropolis following credible information from a resident.
The operation targeted a house allegedly owned by one Yusufa Auditor, who is currently at large.
Those arrested include Saifullahi Aminu of Dallatu Road, Ahmad Sarkin Aski of Mana area, Muhammadu Lawali (also known as Gunda) from Dange Shuni LGA, and Usama Muhammad (alias Na’Ukada).
Police said items recovered from the suspects included fake CFA francs, counterfeit United States dollars and naira notes, charms, fake gold stones, SIM cards, ATM cards, and a “magic box” allegedly used in producing fake currency.
According to the statement, the suspects confessed to conspiring with another fleeing suspect, Yanusa S. Aski, to defraud victims through fake money-doubling schemes.
In a separate operation on May 20, police operatives attached to Binji Police Station, in collaboration with the Army Forward Operating Base, foiled a bandit attack on Jareedi village in Binji Local Government Area.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community at night, firing sporadically and abducting two residents identified as Umar Faruku (30) and Husa Abdullahi (52).
Tactical teams engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest and abandon the victims.
One of the rescued victims sustained a minor leg injury and was treated at a hospital before being discharged.
The Commissioner of Police in Sokoto State, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, commended the operatives for their swift response and urged residents to continue providing useful intelligence to security agencies.
He assured that the command would intensify efforts against cultism, kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities across the state.