Kano cattle rustling raid leads to the recovery of 67 cows and other livestock after a joint police and military operation

The Kano State Police Command, working alongside the Military Joint Task Force deployed along the Kano-Katsina border, has recovered 67 cows and other livestock allegedly rustled by suspected criminals during a coordinated security operation in Gwarzo Local Government Area.

Also read: Kano Police Warn Applicants Against Recruitment Scammers

The command disclosed that the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that suspected cattle rustlers had attacked villages around Gwarzo and neighbouring communities.

Police spokesperson, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Friday.

According to Kiyawa, operatives from the Gwarzo Police Division and members of the Military Joint Task Force were immediately deployed after receiving reports of the attacks.

The Kano cattle rustling raid escalated into a gun battle after the suspects reportedly opened fire on the advancing security operatives.

“Due to the superior firepower and tactical superiority of the joint team, the criminals were forced to abandon the rustled livestock and flee outside the state,” the statement said.

The police said a total of 67 cows, one donkey and one sheep were recovered during the operation.

Authorities added that the recovered livestock were secured at the Gwarzo Police Division before being handed over to their rightful owners following proper identification and verification procedures.

“The recovered livestock were formally handed over to their rightful owners on May 7 through the respective district heads under the supervision of the Local Government Chairman,” the command stated.

Police said intelligence-led surveillance and security operations had been intensified across affected communities as efforts continue to track down the fleeing suspects.

Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the police operatives and military personnel for what he described as gallantry and professionalism during the operation.

Bakori reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities threatening rural communities and local livelihoods across the state.

The commissioner also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to strengthen proactive policing and crime prevention efforts.

The Kano cattle rustling raid comes amid growing concern over livestock theft and rural insecurity affecting several northern communities.

Also read: Kano Police Suspend Tashe Ramadan Performance Over Security Fears

Earlier this month, the Ogun State Police Command arrested two suspected cattle rustlers and recovered a cow valued at N1.7m during a separate operation in the Ifo/Ibogun area of Ogun State.