Operatives of the Sokoto State Police Command have arrested four suspected members of a counterfeiting syndicate allegedly linked to the notorious “Sai Mallam” cult group during a successful intelligence-led operation.
The raid, carried out on May 19, 2026, by the Command’s Strike Force Unit, followed credible information from a resident and targeted a residence in the Mana area of Sokoto metropolis reportedly owned by a suspect, 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 Local Government Area, and Usama Muhammad, alias Na’Ukada.
Items recovered from the suspects include counterfeit CFA currency, fake United States dollars and naira notes, charms, fake gold stones, SIM cards, ATM cards, and a “magic box” allegedly used in producing fake money.
Police investigations revealed that the suspects were involved in fraudulent “money-doubling” schemes, deceiving unsuspecting victims by performing staged rituals and falsely claiming to multiply cash.
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In a related development, police operatives attached to the Binji Police Station, in collaboration with personnel of the Army Forward Operating Base, foiled a bandit attack on Jareedi village in Binji Local Government Area on May 20.
The attackers reportedly stormed the community at night, firing sporadically and abducting two residents, Umar Faruku, 30, and Husa Abdullahi, 52.
However, security operatives engaged the bandits in a gun duel, forcing them to flee into a nearby forest and abandon their victims.
One of the rescued victims sustained minor injuries and received medical attention before being discharged.
The Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Shaffa, commended the operatives for their professionalism and urged residents to continue providing timely and useful information to aid security efforts.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling cultism, kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities across Sokoto State.
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