Officers in Sokoto State have driven off armed bandits who attacked Tsabre Village in Isa Local Government Area, recovering two rocket launchers and other items left behind.

The attackers struck at about 1am and fired shots in all directions, apparently to scare residents.

A distress call reached the police, and the Divisional Police Officer in Isa sent out tactical teams straight away.

The teams included the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Violent Crime Response Unit.

Officers exchanged gunfire with the bandits, who fled into a nearby forest with casualties.

Police later searched the surrounding bushes and found two rocket launchers and two empty AK-47 magazines.

They also picked up a keypad Tecno phone with no battery, a torchlight, an army jungle hat, a sweater cap, five pairs of sandals and a rain jacket.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, gave the details in a statement on Friday.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, praised the officers for responding quickly and showing courage.

The commissioner also repeated the command’s pledge to protect lives and property in the state.

Police are asking residents to stay alert and report anything suspicious.

They also want anyone who sees a person with gunshot wounds seeking medical help to alert the nearest police station.