Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Kaduna State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against cattle rustling and rural banditry, recovering a total of 245 stolen cattle across two separate operations in Igabi and Kudan Local Government Areas, while also rescuing three cattle rearers who had been held captive by armed bandits. The operations, carried out on Sunday, 31 May 2026, were the result of coordinated interventions by police operatives, local vigilantes, the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), and the Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVIS), demonstrating the growing effectiveness of community‑based security partnerships.
The first incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, when armed bandits invaded a Fulani settlement on the outskirts of Rubu Village in Igabi Local Government Area. According to a statement issued on Monday, 1 June 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the attackers tied up three cattle rearers and several guards before rustling a large number of cattle. The incident was promptly reported by the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Igabi LGA, triggering an immediate response from the Divisional Police Officer of Rigachikun Division, CSP Musa Majiya.
The DPO mobilised a joint team of police operatives, Miyetti Allah vigilantes and members of the CJTF. The team simultaneously alerted neighbouring communities while mounting intense pressure on the fleeing bandits. “Unable to withstand the pursuit, the bandits abandoned the stolen cattle and their captives and fled into the bush,” Hassan said. More than 200 cattle were recovered unharmed, and the three abducted cattle rearers were rescued. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
In a separate operation, the DPO of Hunkuyi Division, CSP Hassan Falladan, launched an investigation and surveillance mission following a report of cattle rustling in the area. Credible intelligence later revealed that the stolen cattle were being kept in a bush at Hawan Mai Mashi along the Zaria‑Kano Expressway.
A combined team of police operatives and KADVIS personnel was deployed to the location. On sighting the team, the armed bandits opened fire. The operatives responded with superior firepower, forcing the suspects to flee with suspected gunshot injuries. The bandits abandoned all 45 cattle in their possession, which were recovered intact. Investigations are ongoing to identify and dismantle the criminal network behind the attacks.
Reacting to the successful operations, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the collaboration among the police, Miyetti Allah vigilantes, CJTF, KADVIS and community members. He described the recoveries as a demonstration of the effectiveness of community‑based policing and intelligence‑driven security operations.
Muhammad urged residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely and credible information, while reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives, property and livestock across Kaduna State.
Cattle rustling remains one of the major security concerns affecting rural communities across parts of Northern Nigeria. Security experts have repeatedly identified livestock theft as a key source of funding for criminal groups operating in the region. The latest recoveries are expected to provide relief to affected livestock owners while reinforcing ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb banditry, kidnapping and other forms of rural crime across Kaduna State.
The Kaduna State Government and security agencies have repeatedly launched joint security operations targeting criminal hideouts in flashpoint local government areas, including Birnin Gwari, Giwa, Igabi, Chikun, Kachia, Kajuru and parts of the Kaduna‑Abuja and Kaduna‑Kano corridors. In recent months, security forces have reported several breakthroughs, including the rescue of kidnapped victims, neutralisation of suspected bandits, recovery of rustled livestock and the arrest of informants and logistics suppliers linked to criminal gangs operating within and around the state.
Authorities have, however, maintained that intelligence gathering and sustained community support remain critical to ending cattle rustling and kidnapping, which continue to pose security and economic challenges across many rural communities in Kaduna and neighbouring states.
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