Cattle Rustling: Army Recovered Over 22,000 Livestock In 3 Months – Army

cowsThe 1 Brigade, Nigeria Army, Sokoto, has recovered no fewer than 22,378 livestock between July and September 2015, the director, Army public relations and spokesperson, Operation Restore Peace, Captain Umar Shuaib confirmed on Friday.

Captain Umar, who reiterated the command’s determination to rid Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States of cattle rustlers and armed bandits, also solicited for mutual support by locals in the areas of beneficial information.

According to a signed statement by Umar, about 248 suspects have been arrested in connection with the rustling within the period under review.

The statement read in part, “The Task Force set up to tackle the menace of cattle rustling and armed banditry in Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states has succeeded in recovering about 13,661 cattle; 7,208 sheep; 1,097 goats, 120 caramels, 39 donkeys and two horses from its inception in July to date”.

He said the commanding officer of 223 Battalion, Lt Col Victor Unachukwu briefed the brigade commander, Brig Gen Olufunmilola Soleye on the achievement.

“About 248 suspects were arrested by troops during the said period. They were handed over to the DSS and Police for further investigation and prosecution.

“Troops of 26 Battalion equally recovered another 251 sheep from rustlers in Isa local government and returned them to the director, personnel management of the LG, Nasiru Bello Mutaffili”, he added.

The Brigade commander, Brig Gen Olufunmilola Soleye while on a courtesy call to the chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Zamfara State governor, Abdullaziz Yari, assured that the army was committed in its zeal to restore peace to the northwestern region.

Gen. Soleye, however, said all they needed is the support of all and sundry to actualise their Operation Restore Peace agenda in the region.