The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested thirteen (13) suspected cattle rustlers and recovered twenty-seven (27) rustled cattle in a major breakthrough against banditry in the state.
The arrests were made on Sunday, August 17, 2025, following credible intelligence received by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Toll Gate Division.
Acting swiftly, the DPO mobilised a team of operatives and mounted a strategic ‘stop-and-search’ checkpoint along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Mansir Hassan, the operation led to the recovery of three vehicles transporting the rustled cattle.
According to the PPRO, other suspects arrested at the scene and subsequent operations include Lawal Sarki, Sule VIO, Ayuba Mohammed, Mohammed Bashir, Abu Mai Chaji, Abdullateef Lateef, Shamsudden Abdullahi, Jonathan Ishaya, and Yakubu Alhassan. Additional arrests were later made, including Alh. Abu, Lawal Abdullahi, Shamsudeen Abdullahi, and Abba Hamisu.
Hassan said one of the suspects confessed to receiving stolen cattle from a notorious bandit known as Lagu, who is currently on the police’s wanted list.
He also admitted to having received over 50 rustled cows from one Abdullahi of Rijana, who is said to be on the run.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad assured residents of the State of the Command’s commitment to dismantling criminal syndicates and bringing perpetrators of such crimes to justice.
“We are intensifying our investigations to unravel the entire network behind this criminal enterprise,” CP Muhammad said, calling on members of the public to continue to support the police with timely and actionable information.
The Command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urged residents to remain vigilant and law abiding.
