Law enforcement in Sokoto State has made headlines with the capture of a high-profile cult figure and a man accused of multiple sexual assaults, signalling a tough stance against rising threats to community safety.
Officials revealed that the head of the feared “Sai Mallam” syndicate, known for spreading terror through scams and mystical rituals, was detained amid ongoing crackdowns.
Police Commissioner Ahmed Musa highlighted the operation’s success during a media session, noting it builds on prior victories against organised crime.
Building on a November 29, 2025, breakthrough where three gang associates were rounded up, investigators ramped up their pursuit of key players.
Thanks to reliable tips, agents swooped in on Mohamed Mokhtar, the group’s alleged mastermind and ritual expert, often called “Sai Mallam.”
A raid on his home-turned-sanctuary uncovered ritual objects, group emblems, and tools believed to manipulate victims psychologically.
“This takedown marks a pivotal win in eradicating threats that haunt our neighbourhoods,” Musa stated, vowing deeper probes to ensure lasting calm.
Authorities voiced alarm over the cult’s recruitment of young adults in their prime, aged 19 to 30, calling it a societal red flag.
“These individuals should be building futures through education or skills, not chasing illusions of quick wealth via deceit and dark arts,” the commissioner cautioned.
He urged families to stay vigilant about their kids’ circles and daily routines to curb such influences.
In another chilling case, police collared Annas Sani from Gidan Igwai, charging him with orchestrating kidnappings and assaults under false pretences.
The arrest came on December 9, 2025, after reports surfaced of two young women, 17 and 18, being tricked and violated.
Probes uncovered a wider scheme, with Sani admitting to collaborating with fugitives in a string of attacks.
His partners, identified as Mohammed, Adam Nura (known as Willy), and Mubarak Yusuf, remain on the run, per official accounts.
The crew reportedly posed as part of a phoney outfit dubbed the Sokoto State Masterpiece Brigade to draw in vulnerable teens to a secluded spot for coercion.
So far, detectives have linked the group to at least 28 cases, with many survivors left scarred and some even abandoning their homes in dread.
“Our society can’t tolerate such atrocities,” Musa declared. “Guardians need to track their daughters’ whereabouts, particularly after dark, and foster open dialogues to break the silence on abuse.”
Seized evidence includes a military-like outfit for scaring targets and a bogus ID linked to Sani.
Law enforcement pledged relentless hunts for the escapees and called on locals to share leads, reaffirming their dedication to shielding residents statewide.
In a separate chat, Mokhtar rejected any cult ties, insisting, “I’m merely a healer aiding folks here; no shady groups on my watch.”