Security operatives have recorded more successes against cattle rustlers in Kaduna State with the successful recovery of stolen cattle, an official has said.
A team of security operatives of Joint Task Force, put in place by governors of Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states, recovered a total of 1,232 cows.
The combined force, comprising the military, police and the Department of State Services, also recovered 295 sheep and 14 donkeys from the rustlers.
The animals were recovered from the notorious Kamuku and Kuyanbana forests in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of the state.
The two expansive forests border Katsina, Zamfara, Niger, Kebbi and Sokoto states.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna on Sunday, the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Governor, Samuel Aruwan, said most of the recovered animals had been released to their owners.
Mr. Aruwan said, “Security operatives in the Kamuku and Kuyanbana forests on Thursday, August 13, 2015, brought newly recovered livestock to the Birnin-Gwari distribution centre. These included 1,232 cows, 295 sheep and 14 donkeys.
“Most of the recovered animals have been released to their owners after satisfying the necessary conditions.
“A total of 1,207 cows, 273 sheep and 14 donkeys were released to the following persons: Abubakar Abdulkarim, 157 cows and 12 sheep; Iliyasu B. Abdulkarim, 40 cows, 10 sheep and one donkey; Gambo Na’Alhaji Alhassan, 118 cows and two donkeys; Beti Abdulkarim, 45 cows, 13 sheep and four donkeys; and Hassan Abdulkarim, 239 cows, 50 sheep and four donkeys.
“Others are Sada Abdulkarim, 37 cows and 6 sheep; Baba A. Hare, 209 cows, 48 sheep and three donkeys; Muhammad Sani, 58 cows and 28 sheep; and Abdullahi Ahmed, 105 cows, and 33 sheep.
“As the security operations against the criminal elements in that axis continue, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has commended the officers and men involved for their efforts in helping to make the state safer”.
