BREAKING: 142 cows, 26 sheep recovered by police in Taraba

– A recovery of some livestock stolen in Taraba state has been made

– A recovery of 142 cows and 26 sheep where made by the Taraba state police command

– The police made the recovery after a very brutal battle with suspected cattle rustlers

The Taraba police command presented to newsmen 142 cows and 26 sheep it recovered from suspected cattle rustlers in Serti, Gashaka Council Area of the state, on Saturday, August 13.

The State’s commissioner of police, Mr Yakubu Babas, told newsmen in Jalingo that the animals were intercepted in collaboration with Tabital Pulaaku Vigilance Group.

According to him, the police recovered the animals after a gun battle with the suspected cattle rustlers.

“On the receipt of the intelligence information, a team of policemen with vigilantes were drafted to the area.

“On sighting our men, the rustlers engaged them in a shootout but due to the superior power of my men, they took to their heels abandoning 142 cows and 26 sheep.

“The recovered animals are now in police custody and three people have so far identified some of the animals to be their own,” Babas said.

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The commissioner advised genuine owners of the animals to visit the command with proof of ownership.

On the allegation of extortion levelled against the vigilance group leader, Shehu Aljan, Babas said the command had requested for proof from the aggrieved persons.

“When I assumed duty as the CP of this state, I was approached with some allegations against Aljan by some people.

“I asked them to officially write to me indicating the alleged offences but as I speak with you, they have not done that.

“Therefore, vigilantes can operate in the state but I have directed that there must always be a policeman attached to them whenever they embark on their operation.

By so doing, they will be guided on the provision of the law as far as security operations are concerned,” the commissioner said.

Meanwhile, troops of 35 Battalion, 1 Brigade Nigerian Army on Friday killed a suspected cattle rustler and armed bandits on Tsambe-Fafare road, Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina state.

This is contained in a statement issued by Col.Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations on Saturday in Abuja.

He said the troop were in a joint patrol with Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Katsina State, under operation “SHARAN DAJI”

He moted that the operation followed information received from well patriotic citizens that three gunmen were sighted on motorcycles in the area.

Usman said that the team swung into action and pursued the suspected armed bandits towards Dumburu forest in Zamfara.

The spokesman said during the encounter, the team killed one of the suspected cattle rustlers and armed bandits, while the other two escaped with gun shot wounds.

He said that items recovered included an AK-47 rifle with registration number 1985PS6288, additional AK-47 rifle magazine and 3 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition.

In a related development, a combined team arrested a suspected notorious cattle rustler and armed bandit, Abubakar Mohammed and his boys, Ana’s Gora and Bello Sani.

He said items recovered from them included 49 cattle and 25 sheep.  Usman said that the special raids were carried out along Faskari-Sheme-Mairuwa road, Katsina state.

He stressed that the suspects have been handed over to the police for prosecution and animals recovered handed over to the secretary, Faskari Local Government Area Council for handing over to their owners.

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