Police Nab 13 Suspected Cattle Rustlers, Recover 27 Cows in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested 13 suspected cattle rustlers and recovered 27 rustled cows along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna.

According to Hassan, the arrests followed credible intelligence received on Sunday around 12:00 p.m., indicating that rustled cattle were being transported in three vehicles.

He said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Toll Gate Division, immediately mobilised his team and mounted a snap checkpoint along the expressway. The officers intercepted the vehicles and recovered the cattle.

Those arrested in connection with the crime include Lawal Sarki, Sule VIO, Ayuba Mohammed, Mohammed Bashir, Abu Mai Chaji, Abdullateef Lateef, Shamsudden Abdullahi, Jonathan Ishaya, and Yakubu Alhassan. Others are Alhaji Abu, Shamsudeen Abdullahi, Lawal Abdullahi, and Abba Hamisu.

Hassan added that during interrogation, one of the suspects confessed to receiving rustled cows from a notorious bandit known as Lagu, who is on the police wanted list. The suspect further admitted to having received at least 50 stolen cows from one Abdullahi of Rijana, who is currently on the run.

The police spokesperson said investigations into the cattle rustling network were ongoing, with efforts intensified to arrest all accomplices.

He quoted the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu, as assuring residents that the command remained committed to safeguarding lives and property across the state.

Hassan urged members of the public to continue supporting the police with credible information to help combat crime.