Police foil cattle rustling attempt, recover 50 animals in Katsina

The Katsina Police Command has foiled a cattle rustling attempt in Jibia and recovered 50 animals after a gun duel with armed bandits.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, on Sunday in Katsina.

He also said that the police arrested a 22-year-old suspect.

“The incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 12, following a distress call that suspected armed bandits had invaded Kwarara Village in Jibia Local Government Area and rustled livestock.

“The DPO of Jibia, immediately mobilised the Police VCRU Patrol Team and personnel of the Katsina State Community Watch Corps to respond to the attack,” he said.

According to him, the security team tactically traced the suspects and intercepted them on the Jibia Dam Site.

“He said a gun duel ensued between the security team and the suspected bandits during the encounter.

“The suspects were overwhelmed by the superior firepower of the security personnel and were forced to abandon the rustled animals,” he said.

Aliyu added that the fleeing suspects escaped from the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

The PPRO said the security team subsequently searched the area and arrested one suspected cattle rustler, aged 22.

He said the team also recovered 50 rustled animals comprising 15 cows and 35 sheep.

The arrested suspect, he said, is currently in police custody and assisting investigators with useful information.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ali Umar Fage, commended the DPO of Jibia, and his tactical team for their prompt response and gallantry.

The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to ridding Katsina State of criminal elements.

He urged residents to continue in providing the police with timely and credible information to support ongoing security operations.