Sokoto Police Arrest Four Counterfeiters, Rescue Two Kidnap Victims

On May 19, Sokoto State Police Command’s Strike Force Unit raided a house in the Mana area after a tip from a resident. The operation targeted a property allegedly owned by Yusufa Auditor, who remains at large. Four men—Saifullahi Aminu, Ahmad Sarkin Aski, Muhammadu Lawali (known as Gunda) and Usama Muhammad (alias Na’Ukada)—were taken into custody. They are suspected members of the counterfeiting syndicate tied to the Sai Mallam cult.

Police recovered fake CFA currency, counterfeit United States dollars and naira notes, assorted charms, fake gold stones, several SIM cards, multiple ATM cards and a device described as a magic box for making false money. The suspects confessed during interrogation that they conspired with Yanusa S. Aski, still at large, to trick victims with money‑doubling illusions. In a separate action on May 20, police and army units engaged bandits who attacked Jareedi village in Binji LGA. A gun duel forced the attackers to flee, leaving behind two kidnapped residents—Umar Faruku, 30, and Husa Abdullahi, 52—who were rescued; one suffered a minor leg injury and received hospital care.

The dual operations show police are using intelligence‑led raids to hit both financial fraud and armed banditry in Sokoto. Recovering counterfeit equipment disrupts a revenue stream that funds cult activities, while rescuing kidnappees undermines bandit leverage. Continued public tips appear critical, as the police commissioner urged residents to keep supplying actionable information.