The Katsina State Police Command has foiled an attempted cattle rustling operation and recovered 20 stolen cows in Jibia Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Katsina.
Sadiq-Aliyu said the incident occurred on June 24 at about 2:40 p.m. when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Jibia received a distress call that heavily armed bandits had invaded Korama Mai Zurfi village and rustled 20 cows.
He said the DPO immediately mobilised operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), in collaboration with local vigilantes, and moved to the scene.
According to him, the security team strategically blocked the bandits’ escape routes, leading to a gun battle.
“The operatives overpowered the bandits, forcing them to abandon all the rustled cows and flee with varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” he said.
The police spokesman said all the stolen cattle were recovered, adding that efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ali Umar Fage, commended the operatives for their swift response, courage and synergy during the operation.
Sadiq-Aliyu quoted the commissioner as reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
He also appealed to members of the public to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to enhance efforts at combating crime.
The spokesman assured residents that all information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality.