Rustling: 4,000 cattle, sheep recovered in Sokoto

Over 4,000 livestock have been recovered from rustlers in Sokoto, Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the state, Babangida Dutsin-ma Abdullahi, said.

“We were able to rescue over 2,000 cattle and almost the same number of sheep and they have been handed over to their owners,” he stated.

Abdullahi said the issues of rustling and kidnapping led to the establishment of a joint security taskforce operation tagged ‘Operation Harmony’ sponsored by the state government.

“We started in Rabah and Tureta local government areas, later we extended to Sabon Birni, Isa and Goronyo. Two days to Sallah, we moved to Kebbe because there were some areas such as Sabon Gida village which are being terrorised by bandits. Policemen were mobilised and since then they have been working 24 hours a day,” he said.

He said they apprehended some bandits, including leaders of two notorious groups.

Abdullahi stressed the need for residents to provide security personnel with useful information which could help to curb criminal activities.

The commandant described the recent Sallah festivity as hitch-free and lauded efforts of the state government in properly mobilising towards enhancing security in the state.

He noted the synergy among the police, Army, DSS and NSCDC.

“We teamed up to provide security in all areas, and we had a hitch free Sallah celebration”, he said.