Abayomi Susan
The Kaduna State Police Command recorded a major breakthrough on May 31, 2026, after foiling two separate cattle-rustling operations in Igabi and Hunkuyi Local Government Areas. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the coordinated operations led to the rescue of three kidnapped herders and the recovery of 245 stolen cattle. The command described the interventions as part of its ongoing push against banditry and rustling across the state, with the results made public on Monday. Images released alongside the report showed herds of recovered cattle being counted by officers and community members, highlighting the scale of the operation.
The first incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday when armed bandits stormed a Fulani settlement on the outskirts of Rubu Village in Igabi LGA. The attackers reportedly tied up three cattle rearers and several guards before driving off with a large herd. The assault was reported by the Chairman of Miyetti Allah in Igabi LGA, who alerted the Divisional Police Officer of Rigachikun Division. That report triggered a rapid response involving police operatives, Miyetti Allah vigilantes, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force. The joint security team immediately launched a pursuit, trailing the suspects while alerting neighboring communities to mount pressure along escape routes.
Unable to withstand the chase and the coordinated pressure from security forces and locals, the bandits abandoned both the stolen cattle and their captives and fled into nearby bushes. Police said over 200 cattle were recovered unharmed during that operation, while the three herders who had been tied up were freed without injury. The command noted that efforts to track down and arrest the fleeing suspects were still ongoing at the time of the statement. Community cooperation was credited for making the pursuit effective, as villagers relayed movements and helped block escape paths.
The second operation took place in Hunkuyi LGA after the DPO there received a report of cattle rustling. Acting on the report, the division launched an investigation and surveillance operation that produced credible intelligence. The information pointed to a bush area at Hawan Mai Mashi along the Zaria-Kano Expressway where the stolen animals were believed to be hidden. A combined team of police operatives and personnel of the Kaduna State Vigilance Service was quickly deployed to the location. The team combed the area and recovered 45 additional cattle that had been concealed by rustlers.
Together, the two operations accounted for 245 cattle recovered in a single day, making it one of the more significant anti-rustling successes in the state this year. DSP Hassan emphasized that the successes were only possible because of intelligence sharing and collaboration between formal security agencies and local vigilante groups. He noted that community members played a critical role by providing timely information and supporting the pursuit efforts. The police command said such partnerships are central to its strategy for tackling kidnapping, banditry, and cattle rustling in Kaduna’s rural areas.
Commissioner of Police Rabiu Muhammad commended the officers, vigilantes, and community stakeholders involved in the operations. He praised their commitment and urged residents to continue volunteering credible information to security agencies. The commissioner also reiterated the command’s resolve to sustain pressure on criminal networks operating in the state, warning that security forces would not relent until rural communities could go about their livelihoods without fear. He assured herders and farmers that the police remain available and responsive to distress calls.
Cattle rustling has been a persistent security challenge in Kaduna and other parts of northwest Nigeria, often linked to banditry and kidnapping networks. Rustled livestock are frequently moved quickly across state lines or sold in informal markets, making rapid recovery difficult once animals are dispersed. The recovery of 245 cattle in coordinated operations therefore represents both a logistical win and a morale boost for affected communities. For herders, losing livestock means losing capital and livelihood, so the return of the animals has immediate economic significance beyond the security victory.
The Kaduna Police Command said the recovered cattle would be properly documented and handed over to their rightful owners after verification processes are completed. Authorities are also working with Miyetti Allah and other community leaders to ensure smooth identification and restitution. Meanwhile, investigations continue to identify and apprehend those responsible for the attacks. The command repeated its call for residents to remain vigilant and to report suspicious movements, stressing that intelligence-driven policing combined with community support remains the best approach to reducing rural crime.
